Local pharmacies are beginning to hand out free N95 masks to customers.
Pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS and community health centers have begun offering free masks this week as part of the federal government's effort to distribute 400 million masks from the Strategic National Stockpile.
The program is expected to be fully up and running by the beginning of February.
Earlier in the month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on masks and recommends the use of N95 or KN95 masks over medical or cloth masks.