3 Million Masks Donated To GA Counties, Department Of Education

GEORGIA — Georgia's emergency management agency is releasing 3 million cloth face coverings in July to the Georgia Department of Education and 39 county emergency management agencies across the state, Gov. Brian Kemp's office announced Tuesday.

The washable, reusable cloth face coverings are intended to help protect citizens, teachers and students as they prepare to return to school and work in the coming months.

“The distribution of these face coverings is in line with current CDC guidance suggesting that they be used when social distancing measures are hard to maintain,” said Homer Bryson, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. “Since many carriers of COVID-19 are asymptomatic, they can unwittingly spread the disease to those around them. Wearing a face covering is a simple step that can be taken to reduce the risk of transmission by those infected.”

The Department of Education will receive 2 million of the face coverings to provide to students and teachers as they return for the new school year. School systems will have the flexibility to determine how to distribute the masks.

“As we plan for a return to school this fall, we have worked to provide guidance that is realistic in the K-12 setting, provides for the best possible educational experience for students and — most importantly — keeps students, teachers, staff, and families safe,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Having access to face coverings is critical as our districts and schools plan for a safe return, and I am grateful for the leadership and partnership of Governor Kemp and GEMA.”

More information is available on the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia Department of Education’s guidance for a safe return to in-person instruction by visiting gadoe.org/K12recovery. For information on Georgia public schools’ COVID-19 response, visit www.gadoe.org/coronavirus.

Counties receiving the masks were identified by the state health department as areas where infection rates are rising or there may be increased risk of transmission. Each county EMA will develop a plan to distribute the face coverings in their communities, paying special attention to the homeless population and economically challenged areas.

As part of the Office of the Governor, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency works with local, state and federal governments, in partnership with the private sector and faith-based community, to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. In addition, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency employees are on 24-hour call statewide to assist local authorities when disaster strikes.

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