- Credibility:
LINCOLN SQUARE — Residents of the 40th Ward can get a free mask from Ald. Andre Vasquez’s (40th) office by filling out a Google form.
Vasquez announced April 4 his office was organizing a sewing guard to make face masks for front line workers in retail and other essential positions.
Now Vasquez is using the sewing guard’s mask request form to also help distribute the 20,000 masks local businessman and ex-mayoral candidate Willie Wilson donated to the ward Tuesday.
“We already had a system in place so it made sense now that we have more of these masks to use it,” Vasquez said. “We really want marginalized and at risk communities to fill out the form.”
“Once we have a headcount with the form, we’ll figure out if it makes sense to deliver these masks or host a social distanced pick up event in an open area,” Vasquez said. “We’re still working that out. Keeping everyone safe while we give these masks out is a priority for us.”
Gov. JB Pritzker’s new stay at home order kicks in Friday and will require people ages 2 or older to wear a face covering when they’re not able to social distance, like inside a store or on a crowded sidewalk.
But Chicagoans don’t need to rush out to buy masks — reusable face coverings can be made out of things people might have at home, like old T-shirts. The Centers for Disease Control has an online guide for how to make and wear cloth masks.
Pritzker said he doesn’t want police to arrest people who aren’t wearing masks, and Lightfoot has echoed those sentiments, noting she doesn’t want to punish people who might not have the money or resources to buy or make a mask.
But the governor said stores can and should refuse service to people who aren’t wearing face coverings, and essential businesses will be required to give their employees coverings if they’re not able to stay 6 feet away from people in the workplace.
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