- Credibility:
LINCOLN SQAURE — Ald. Matt Martin (47th) is asking residents who need a face mask to request one for free from his office by filling out a Google form.
Local businessman and ex-mayoral candidate Willie Wilson donated 20,000 masks to the 47th Ward Tuesday. Here’s the form for residents to request one.
“If you are a senior, essential worker, high risk individual, or otherwise in need you can fill out this interest form and we’ll do our best to connect you with a mask,” Martin said in his Wednesday newsletter.
Anyone who can can afford to purchase their own mask from an artist or local business owner should do so, ensuring the free masks can be prioritized for ward residents most in need, Martin said.
Anyone living in a senior living community within the ward will receive masks delivered directly to their facility and don’t need to fill out the form, Martin said.
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.
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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