Contact: Brandon Weathersby
414.469.3493, press@milwaukeecountywi.gov
Office of Emergency Management distributed 175,000 masks to local municipalities, Department of Health and Human Services to distribute to County Service Users & Community Organizations
MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced today that last week Milwaukee County received a shipment of 575,000 N-95 masks. The masks come as part of Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ effort to distribute over 5 million pieces of personal protective equipment since the beginning of the year.
Over the weekend, the Office of Emergency Management distributed 175,000 masks to 10 local municipalities who requested supplies from the County (Cudahy, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, North Shore, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis). This week, the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is distributing the remainder of the masks along County service lines and to community agency partners.
“Thank you to Gov. Evers and his administration for continuing to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and sending nearly 600,000 high-quality N-95 masks to Milwaukee County. We know that there is a demand for high-quality masks since the Omicron variant is much more contagious, and the N-95 masks provide the appropriate amount of protection from contracting the new variant or spreading it to others,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “This week, the Department of Health and Human Services is working to distribute the remainder of the N-95 masks to the County’s most vulnerable residents. The department and its affiliated community agency partners are working to get masks out to residents who need them the most. This effort builds on the support the County has provided to community agencies since the start of the pandemic.”
Since the onset of the pandemic DHHS has worked to distribute cleaning supplies and other PPE as available to assist in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus disease. The additional masks from the Evers Administration allow the department to make masks available for provider staff, community members, and community organizations. DHHS will distribute masks to residents who engage with County Services and its affiliated community agency partners like organizations serving older adults, Milwaukee County Senior Centers, and Meals on Wheels.
Community providers serving vulnerable County residents, like churches, food pantries, and others meeting community needs are encouraged to reach out to DHHS at 414-289-6897 to learn how you can order masks. The department will work with requesters to route orders through the process.
