- Credibility:
WICKER PARK — Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) will begin distributing 20,000 free face masks to residents this weekend.
Masks will be distributed at the 1st Ward office, 1958 N. Milwaukee Ave., between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays through May 30.
Residents must pre-arrange a pick up. Call 872-206-2685 or email info@the1stward.com to coordinate a time slot.
The masks were provided by local businessman and ex-mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. Earlier this week Wilson donated a total of 1 million masks to city leaders.
RELATED: Aldermen Line Up To Get 1 Million Masks From Willie Wilson By The Truckload
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 items 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.
RELATED: Coronavirus In Chicago: Masks Required When New Stay At Home Order Starts Friday
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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