Reusable masks are now being supplied to those in need at public libraries and museums across the province.
The Nova Scotia government announced yesterday they would distribute reusable masks to anyone in need through the province’s public libraries and museums.
Masks became mandatory today in all indoor public places, including malls, libraries, and restaurants among other locations.
The aim is to get masks to those who are most vulnerable and who can’t afford or don’t have the means to obtain one themselves.
However, Troy Myers, CEO of South Shore Public Libraries, said they won’t be saying no to those who ask for one.
“We’re not going to put anyone through a means test or tell them they can’t have one,” he said,” if people ask for one, we are going to give them one.”
Masks have already been supplied to all the South Shore Public Libraries as of yesterday, and are made of a cloth material, making them reusable and better quality than typical surgical masks.
“I was quite pleased with how comfortable it was,” said Myers on the masks.
“It’s cloth, very washable, and is designed like a reusable grocery bag. You will probably get about a hundred or so uses out of them before they start to fall apart. We are quite pleased with them.”
They hope to keep enough masks on hand for anyone who needs one to take, but Myers said he understands their stock is finite.
“We’ll hand them out until they are gone,” he said.
“If it is a popular program, we will do what we can to increase the supply and make sure people have masks when they want them and where they need them.”
Previously, the library has received donations of handmade masks to use with their curbside pickup program, and Myers said they are open to more donations towards their community mask supply.
Masks will be kept at the front desks of the libraries and museums offering them, and a full list of libraries and museums supplying masks, as well as information on how to make your own can be found here.
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