MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Clarksdale, Mississippi Mayor Chuck Espy announced he will mail our four free masks for every household in the city.
As many as 40,000 masks will be bulk mailed in special envelopes, and are being provided at no cost to Clarksdale residents, thanks to the city’s “rainy day” emergency fund.
The mayor wants to raise awareness of COVID-19 as more non essential businesses start to reopen in the Delta city of about 15,000. Coahoma County, where Clarksdale is located, had 70 cases of COVID-19 as of Monday.
“There was no way that we could predict COVID-19, but we knew we would have certain crisis moments in our city and that’s where we use our reserve funds like this, in an emergency manner to protect our citizens,” Espy said.
Espy said the face mask mail-out will insure residents have some level of protection as they adapt to what he calls a new quality of life.
He noted that social distancing is still preferred until scientists can come up with a vaccine to prevent the novel coronavirus.
“The need to protect our most valued customers – the citizens of Clarksdale—is a high priority,” Espy said in a statement. “We know there is an issue of equity in terms of having access to personal protective equipment (PPE). This initiative intends to close those gaps, continue to lower the threat of spreading COVID19, and give people peace of mind.”
At Willow Botanical and Goods in Clarksdale, workers are gearing up for what they hope will be a successful Mother’s Day, business-wise, knowing that facial masks will remain mandatory.
“I think people are really scared and it’s a valid fear,” said Sasha Monty, an employee at the store. ‘We are going to limit customers in, we’re going to ask that they wear a mask while in, just for safety, ours and theirs.”
For some, getting a mask is welcomed first step toward staying safe from COVID-19.
“I think that’s a great idea,” said Nelghotti Ramsey of Clarksdale. “We all need to be concerned about our safety and bringing out masks and sending us masks. I think that’s a good idea.”