Public Health continues mask giveaways; next one scheduled for Friday

Gilbert Ghand, left, and Angela Boykin, with Dayton & Montgomery Public Health, help to giveaway free disposable mask Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at the Mount Olive Baptist Church. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Gilbert Ghand, left, and Angela Boykin, with Dayton & Montgomery Public Health, help to giveaway free disposable mask Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at the Mount Olive Baptist Church. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County handed out free masks at Mt. Olive Baptist in Church in Dayton this morning as part of a series of distribution events.

The agency is scheduled multiple giveaways as it continues to stress the importance of wearing face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus, while making sure residents across the county have access to them.

“The demand is extremely high,” said Gilbert Ghand of Public Health. “Wherever we go people need them.”

The agency had about 450 masks to give away at the event today.

Ghand said they try to limit the amount of masks given to each person, but also understand that people may have family members who also might need a mask.

Help stop the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face mask. Upcoming free face mask distribution days.

Posted by Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County on Friday, August 7, 2020

Dan Suffoletto, public information supervisor at Public Health, previously said the agency is having giveaways throughout the area, but is also working to get areas where people may not have access to masks.

“We are going to various locations but we’re trying to get into areas where we think people may have transportation challenges or other challenges that may prohibit them from going and getting a mask,” he said. “We’re trying to spread it out as much as possible but also being mindful about those at-risk areas.”

The next giveaway is scheduled for Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Walmart on Brandt Pike in Huber Heights.

The agency is also having free pop-up, drive-thru coronavirus testing Tuesday at Kettering Fields, 444 N. Bend Drive in Dayton.

Free testing will be available from noon to 6 p.m. No appointment or doctor’s note is needed to be tested.

For more information about mask giveaways or coronavirus testing, visit Public Health’s website at https://www.phdmc.org/.

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