Frederica Freyberg:

The Department of Health Services is dipping into its stockpile of N95 masks to give out across Wisconsin, as they’re recommended but, for some, hard to come by. Marisa Wojcik reports on one effort to get masks into the hands of the community.

Man:

Hey.

Laura Ford-Harris:

It’s been nonstop. This line behind us has been going on since actually before noon today.

Marisa Wojcik:

Cars continue to fill and refill the parking lot of the Boys & Girls Club Allied Family Center in Fitchburg this week as they distributed free N95 masks to the community.

Laura Ford-Harris:

Michael Johnson, Governor Evers’ office worked together to get 200,000 N95 masks.

Marisa Wojcik:

The Omicron variant is more contagious and spreading to even those who are vaccinated.

Jacquelyn Hunt:

I’m going to give you a pack for the baby as well, okay?

Woman:

Thank you.

Jacquelyn Hunt:

And now these new variants are coming up. We have people in our community who are at a greater risk.

Latisha McDuffy:

I wanted to get a few KN95s ’cause I have the regular mask but which is not working as well because the virus is spreading so I’m a little nervous and I’m on dialysis.

Marisa Wojcik:

There’s a new demand to mask up beyond the protection of cloth and surgical masks and to use designated N95s. But there’s a problem.

Latisha McDuffy:

It’s really hard to find. The prices are super high when you try to order them online. I’m very happy and grateful for them. I’m grateful.

Marisa Wojcik:

For “Here & Now” I’m Marisa Wojcik reporting from Fitchburg.

Jacquelyn Hunt:

Be well!

Frederica Freyberg:

President Joe Biden is expected to announce a plan next week to also make N95 masks more readily available to the public.