Face Shields To Be Distributed At Manassas Porch Party

MANASSAS, VA — Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis, together with the Rotary Club, will be distributing 1,000 face shields to the community at different locations in Manassas on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Starting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the face shields will be distributed at her Fall Porch Party at the original home of the Osbourn sisters, at 9132 Grant Ave. The current owners of the house are hosting the party.

Ellis, who is running for mayor of Manassas in the Nov. 3 election, serves as area governor of Rotary District 7610. The Rotary District has purchased the face shields for distribution and since Ellis is an area governor, she is helping to distribute them.

Social distancing and masks will be required at the Fall Porch Party on Oct. 22.

"Children and teachers are preparing for future school re-openings, restaurants are bracing for the cold and moving inside or adding outdoor heated dining, and our whole community is gearing up for increased indoor activities due to weather changes," Ellis said Friday in a news release

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, face shields provide an extra layer of protection if worn with masks. The Virginia Department of Education is recommending teachers wear a mask and face shield for in-person school. The Manassas City public schools said they are prepared to supply teachers with their inventory of face shields.

The supply of Rotary face shields will be available to whoever shows up at the porch party and wants one. People also can email Ellis at theresa@manassastogether.com with their name, address, cell phone number and the number of face shields they want.

Residents also can drive up on Thursday, Oct. 22 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to the food distribution at Metz Middle School at 9950 Wellington Road in Manassas to receive a shield.