Kalamazoo Times

Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department (HCS) on Feb. 4 announced that free adult KN95 masks are available to the public.

KN95 masks, when worn correctly, are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 variants such as the Omicron variant. Kalamazoo County HCS encourages residents to take advantage of these free masks available to the community, according to The City of Kalamazoo.

“While community transmission of COVID-19 remains high in our community, it is important to take all of the preventive measures we can to reduce spread," Dr. William Nettleton, medical director at Kalamazoo County HCS said, according to the City of Kalamazoo. "That includes getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, following quarantine and isolation guidelines, but also proper mask wearing, and when possible, using masks that are most effective at preventing the spread of viruses like COVID-19.”

Kalamazoo County HCS on Jan. 31, 2022, handed out 30,000 masks to community partners who are now offering up the masks to the public. KN95 masks are not able to be picked up at Kalamazoo County HCS. Residents can receive KN95 masks free of charge at the following locations, during their normal business hours and while supplies last:

Comstock Community Center

6330 King Hwy

Kalamazoo, MI 49048                               

Edison Neighborhood Association

816 Washington Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49001                               

Northside Association

612 N Park St

Kalamazoo, MI 49007

South Community Center

606 Spruce St

Kalamazoo, MI 49097

KN95 masks are more capable of fighting off infection from the omicron variant than cloth masks, according to CBS 58.

"(A KN95 mask is) a synthetic-type material and it's designed to capture even the smallest particulate matter down to hundredths of nanometers," UW-Madison Chemistry Professor Timothy Bertram said, according to CBS 58. "So, you get those two pieces that combine together, a well-fit mask and high-quality filtration material and that's what makes the best mask."