Council’s efforts are part of ongoing #StopTheSpread campaign in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2020 – City Council today began distributing face masks to the general public at a food distribution site in Brewerytown. The event, hosted by the Greater Brewerytown CDC and anchored by Council President Darrell L. Clarke, was intended as the “first wave” of mask distribution to the general public to slow the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in Philadelphia. As of yesterday, Philadelphia had over 17,000 reported cases of COVID-19 infections, and 816 city residents have died during the coronavirus pandemic.
Assisted by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At Large) and Rep. Donna Bullock (195th District), Council President Clarke (5th District) utilized an existing food distribution event at the CDC in Brewerytown at 30th and Master Streets to begin distributing reusable face masks to the general public.
“This is the next phase of our #StopTheSpread campaign,” Council President Clarke said. “We’re going to do whatever we have to do to get masks into the hands of the people who need them in our neighborhoods. We’re still seeing too many people all across Philadelphia not wearing a mask when they’re outside. Please remember the public health advice: – Stay home. If you must go outside for essential work or groceries – wear a mask.”
The City Department of Public Health recommends that all Philadelphians wear masks or face coverings when they leave their homes for work, essential shopping and outdoor exercise.
Masks can help slow the spread of COVID-19, and will aid in Philadelphia’s ability to meet the criteria for a phased re-opening of the local economy. Working with a group of public-minded individuals, local foundations and corporations, City Council has amassed more than 30,000 masks and began the public distribution today. This effort is the continuation of Council’s #StopTheSpread campaign, a wide-ranging effort aimed at reaching under-served communities with public health messages around staying home, practicing social distancing, and wearing a mask when people go out. Friday’s event is the first of several mask distribution efforts planned by City Council. The Kenney Administration is working towards procuring additional supplies of reusable masks to distribute to the general public in the near future.
“This is the first step,” Clarke said. “The administration is working to obtain more masks to get into the public’s hands and we welcome those steps. Everyone needs to wear a mask, stay safe, and think of their family members, their friends and others when they go outside. Don’t bring COVID-19 home.”
Clarke specifically thanked a number of public leaders, private individuals, non-profit organizations and corporations for their support in Council’s mask procurement effort. The following listed below have all assisted this latest phase of Council’s #StopTheSpread – COVID-19 Initiative, and this list is ongoing and growing. The Urban Affairs Coalition is serving as a fiscal agent for the mask procurement and distribution portion of Council’s ongoing campaign.
“We could not do this without the support of these companies, non-profit organizations as well as private donors who have stepped up to the plate to help Council get masks into the public’s hands,” Clarke said. “We thank everyone for their support.”
#StopTheSpread – COVID-19 Initiative Supporters (List in development)
Independence Blue Cross
Comcast Corporation
AT&T
Coca Cola North America
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro
Michael Rubin, Sixers partner and owner, Fanatics
Steve Klein
Leigh and John Middleton
Philadelphia Health Partnership Foundation
Urban Affairs Coalition
Philadelphia Prison System
American Chinese United Association
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