Rep. Al Green partners with newspaper CEO to donate 10,000 masks

Saturday, April 4, 2020
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- US Rep. Al Green joined Southern News Group CEO and International District Chairman Wea Lee to distribute 10,000 masks to Houston health officials on Saturday afternoon.

This donation from Chairman Lee comes as personal protective equipment supplies continue to become more scarce amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"This contribution will help to supplement the shrinking PPE inventory Houston's frontline medical workers and first responders face," said Rep. Green

An eight-term congressman from Alief, Green has been working with others to provide PPE masks to health officials. Earlier this week, he announced plans to provide 8,000 masks.

"This is not the first time I looked for them," Green said on Sunday. "But this is the first time I've been successful."

RELATED: Congressman Al Green distributes 8,000 PPE masks to Houston healthcare professionals

The demand for face masks is expected to increase as the CDC has now recommended that the general public should wear masks when leaving home.

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus government response updates: Trump says CDC advises Americans wear masks

Earlier this week, a committee with the National Academy of Sciences told the White House that research shows coronavirus can be spread not just by sneezes or coughs, but also just by talking, or possibly even just breathing, according to CNN.

"While the current (coronavirus) specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing," according to the letter, written by committee chairman Dr. Harvey Fineberg.

"I'm not going to wear a surgical mask, because clinicians need those," Fineberg told CNN. "But I have a nice western-style bandana I might wear. Or I have a balaclava. I have some pretty nice options."

CNN contributed to this report.

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