Alberta’s government announced Monday that it will be pausing its non-medical mask distribution program until July, following the handout of 20 million masks during the initial phase.
During that first phase, which launched on June 8, more than 14 million masks were handed out at fast food drive-thrus in the province, as well as six million additional masks that were directly shared with municipalities — including Calgary and Edmonton transit — as well as shelters, seniors organizations, Indigenous partners and places of worship.
The 600 participating drive-thrus were at A&W, McDonald’s Canada and Tim Hortons locations, but, as of Monday, Albertans will not be able to collect masks at those locations until the second period of distribution is announced.
However, those who still need masks can call 211 to request a package, according to a government news release.
“Thank you to all our partners for helping our government distribute millions of non-medical masks to every corner of Alberta. No other province in Canada has accomplished such a feat,” said a statement from Health Minister Tyler Shandro.
The government said it would be announcing more details around the July mask program in the next few weeks. The government expects to hand out an additional 20 million masks in the second phase.
The distribution of masks to areas without drive-thru access and First Nations will continue through the pause, following timelines set by those groups, according to the government.
Dr. Donald Wilson, president of community physicians for the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association, questions how the program was rolled out.
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“We’ve seen the evidence where people were handed as many masks as they could get their hands on.”
Wilson said he thinks handing face masks out at pharmacies and grocery stores would be more effective.
“Educate the public on how to use it (a mask) and educate the public on why they need to use it,” he said.
Dr. Amy Tan is part of the group Masks For Canada. She’s an advocate for people wearing masks, especially reusable cloth ones that can be washed.
“Allocating four non-reusable paper masks allows you four days to wear a mask,” she said. “What about the rest of the four to six months that we’re looking at as a low estimate before even having a vaccine.
“If we can get to 80 per cent of the population masking, this would bring down significantly the spread of COVID-19.”
In Alberta, health officials have not made non-medical use mandatory, but have said that they should be used when keeping a two-metre distance is not possible.
–With files from Global News’ Lisa MacGregor
More information on mask use and where to get them can be found online.
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