PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD) and Chatham County Public Libraries distributed more than 100,000 N95 respirators to the Chatham community last week and have received another shipment of 100,000 masks to continue that distribution. Additionally, Moncure Fire Department has been added as a distribution site, expanding the availability of these free resources to another section of the county. The CCPHD will continue to distribute N95s to churches and other community partners as well.
“We’re grateful to the staff at Chatham County Public Libraries for continuing to support this effort. They have been our primary points of distribution for the N95s and we could not do this without them,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek. “We’re also excited to partner with the Moncure Fire Department. They are a central part of the Moncure community, and I’m thankful to Fire Chief Robert Shi and his staff for their willingness to partner with us and serve as a distribution hub for southeast Chatham.”
Community members can pick up one free box of 20 N95 respirators per household at any of the following locations during their operating hours while supplies last:
• Chatham Community Library, Pittsboro
• Wren Memorial Library, Siler City
• Goldston Library, Goldston
• Moncure Fire Department, Moncure
Check the Health Department website for hours and more details.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), N95 respirators offer the most protection from spread of virus particles, like those that cause COVID-19, when worn consistently and properly. Additionally, they contain any droplets and particles that come from you. N95 respirators should not be worn with other masks or respirators and should not be used for more than a few days. They should be discarded when they become wet or dirty, or no longer fit correctly.
—CN+R staff report