MALDEN, Mass. — A large supply of masks provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is being distributed to local school districts across the state by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
“We actually had them earlier in the school year but we waited because we knew the resources get used up very quickly, said Anne Marie Stronach, Advisor to the Commissioner at DESE.
Distribution began last week, according to a DESE spokesperson.
Stronach said the masks, which are cloth and reusable, are treated with an antimicrobial solution and are being offered to districts whether learning is remote or in-person.
On Thursday, Lynn Public Schools, which has been remote since the start of the school year, received a shipment of 33 boxes.
“I think this is a confidence builder,” said Patrick Tutwiler, Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools.
The district is fully remote and has been to start the school year but does plan to bring back high-needs students in January which is when the new PPE will be used.
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The masks are distributed by enrollment size, according to a spokesperson from DESE.
In all, 1.5 million masks are being distributed with the last few districts expected to receive them on Wednesday, December 16th.
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