Councilman distributes face masks in South Philly

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow in Philadelphia, many local residents are still severely lacking protective face masks.  

City officials are stepping up to remedy that shortage. 

On Tuesday morning, Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson helped distribute several hundred face masks outside of Mount Hebron Baptist Church in South Philly as part of the #StopTheSpread campaign. Johnson is currently planning additional face mask giveaways throughout his district in the near future. 

“I continue to see too many people in my Second Councilmanic District, which covers Center City, South and Southwest Philadelphia, not wearing face masks,” Johnson said. “Wearing cloth masks slows the spread of COVID-19 and protects others in case the wearer has the virus. Everyone needs to wear a mask in order to protect family members and friends when they go outdoors. Play a part in keeping the coronavirus from coming into your home.”

City Council’s #StopTheSpread campaign aims to help under-served communities throughout the city by emphasizing public safety messages like social distancing and the importance of wearing a mask. City Council has collected more than 30,000 masks to be distributed to those most in need. 

“We’re going to do whatever we have to do to get masks into the hands of the people who need them in our neighborhoods,” said Council President Clarke in a statement. “We’re still seeing too many people all across Philadelphia not wearing a mask when they’re outside. Please remember the public health advice — stay home. If you must go outside for essential work or groceries — wear a mask.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone wear a face mask, especially in public settings such as a grocery store or pharmacy. Experts believe wearing masks protects both yourself and others from potentially spreading the virus, which as of Tuesday afternoon, has infected 18,537 people in Philadelphia, causing 908 fatalities.