Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Tanuki

(14,893 posts)
Wed May 6, 2020, 08:05 AM May 2020

TN to hand out 5 million free masks to any resident who wants one

Free no-touch thermometers will also be offered to small businesses.

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/state-to-give-free-masks-to-all-tennesseans-thermometers-available-for-businesses-to-order

"Governor Lee announced the state will be giving free cloth masks to any Tennessean who wants one. Small businesses will also be able to order no-touch thermometers in order to help them safely reopen.

Governor Lee recently lifted his "Safer-at-Home" order, but strongly encouraged everyone to adhere to the CDC's guidelines of wearing masks and continuing to social distance as much as possible.

The state has partnered with Renfro Corporation to secure more than 5 million cloth masks, which will be distributed to all 95 health departments in the state beginning this week. They will be given out free of charge to all Tennesseans."...(more)

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
TN to hand out 5 million free masks to any resident who wants one (Original Post) Tanuki May 2020 OP
They have so many and nobody was stealing 2naSalit May 2020 #1
No, these are not medical-grade PPE. As it says in the OP, they are cloth masks. Tanuki May 2020 #2
I got one -- comfortable mask -- very nice TreadSoftly May 2020 #3
Thanks for the info, and a belated welcome to DU! Tanuki May 2020 #4

2naSalit

(86,061 posts)
1. They have so many and nobody was stealing
Wed May 6, 2020, 11:23 AM
May 2020

their PPE enroute to the state and now they have enough to hand out to even the GP. Imagine that.

Tanuki

(14,893 posts)
2. No, these are not medical-grade PPE. As it says in the OP, they are cloth masks.
Wed May 6, 2020, 11:35 AM
May 2020

They aren't N95 respirators or surgical masks. A local sock manufacturer decided to shift production to make cotton masks for general consumers. More from another news source:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.tennessean.com/amp/3086625001

.. "The state has entered an agreement with Renfro Corp., a North Carolina-based international sock distributor, to "make cloth face masks available to as many Tennesseans as possible," according to a statement from the governor's office.
.....
Renfro Corp. has a Tennessee manufacturing and distribution facility in Cleveland. The company is expected to continue making masks for the state beyond this first wave of production.
.....

In a statement, Renfro president and CEO Stan Jewell said the sock company realized in March its "design and manufacturing expertise could be used to provide millions of face masks to communities to help reduce the spread of COVID19."...(more)

TreadSoftly

(219 posts)
3. I got one -- comfortable mask -- very nice
Thu May 14, 2020, 01:16 PM
May 2020

It's black stretch cotton with two straps. There is extra room for one's nose and mouth. Getting it was easy if you don't work -- just drive up to health department, phone them and they come out to the car.

My coworker sniffed at it, says she could see through it and declared it unfit. I think for most droplets this one should protect just fine for grocery shopping. Her own homemade mask is gingham but I think my gov't-handout doesn't have gaps around face like hers.

What would life be like without arguments? Sigh.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Tennessee»TN to hand out 5 million ...