FREDERICK, Md. – Frederick County residents can pick up free KN95 masks at any Frederick County Public Libraries branch beginning tomorrow. The masks are a key step to slowing the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Community spread of the virus remains high in Frederick County. Case counts and hospitalizations have begun to decline, although they remain higher than during any previous surge of the pandemic. Already in January, 55 county residents have died as a result of COVID-19, equaling the previous record set in April of 2020.
“The pandemic is still here and we must keep up our guard,” County Executive Jan Gardner said. “Masks are an important tool to keep us safe. We have been distributing masks to high-risk groups and are pleased to now be able to offer KN95s to the public.”
A Board of Health resolution requires that masks be worn in all indoor public settings in Frederick County. The requirement remains in effect until the county’s seven-day average of new cases drops below 20 cases per 100,000 residents. Today, the case rate stands at 65.89.
County residents can pick up a pack containing five masks at any Frederick County Public Libraries branch during regular operating hours, beginning Friday, January 28. Edward F. Fry Memorial Library at Point of Rocks, Emmitsburg Branch Library, and Myersville Community Library are not open on Fridays but will be open and have masks available starting Saturday, January 29. Masks will be located just inside the entrance of each branch library. Visit fcpl.org for library hours and locations. Individuals do not need a library card to pick up masks. Nearly 100,000 masks are available and should be in stock for some time.
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