Cecil County residents can pick up free, adult-sized adult-sized KN95 masks at Cecil County Health Department, 401 Bow St. Elkton, MD 21921, during regular business hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Child-size masks are not available. Supplies are limited and the masks will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the mask guidance to emphasize protection to prevent the spread of COVID-19. KN-95 respirators are masks that have been shown to provide higher levels of protection against the Omicron variantCOVID-19. Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth in indoor public settings or in crowds is important to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Higher-quality face masks help slow the spread of Covid-19 and having these as compared to simple face coverings, increases protection.