John Urban, with Crisis Bread Basket, accepts masks from State Representative Erin Zwiener. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Zwiener also brought masks to Alexis Pointe Senior Living. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Rep. Zwiener hands out masks to local non-profits, senior facilities
State Rep. Erin Zwiener donated surgical face masks to a local senior living center and a food pantry.
“For reopening Texas to succeed, we all must change our day-to-day habits,” said Rep. Zwiener. “Wearing a face mask out in public is one piece of that. It’s a simple way we can all show that we care about our neighbors, our community, and our local businesses, and I don’t want access to masks to prevent one Texan from doing their part.”
Rep. Zwiener delivered bulk masks to Alexis Pointe Senior Living center for their staff, and she gave packets of masks to the Wimberley Crisis Bread Basket for families picking up food. Each packet also contained information about how masks help protect our communities from the spread of COVID-19 and how to get help applying for unemployment insurance.
“Wearing a mask keeps your germs with you,” said Rep. Zwiener. “If you sneeze or cough, the droplets stay inside your mask instead of landing on other people or a nearby surface. If we all wear masks, we’re all protected.”
The Center for Disease Control and Governor Greg Abbott both recommend wearing face-coverings in public. However, the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off a global personal protective equipment shortage, and many community members and health care facilities have struggled to obtain masks. Thanks to assistance from the Chinese American community in Texas, Rep. Zwiener secured thousands of surgical masks to distribute to those in need.
“Of course mask-wearing is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Rep. Zwiener. “We also need to continue staying home whenever possible, minimizing our interactions with those outside our household, washing our hands, and staying home if sick.
Rep. Zwiener is also collecting and distributing homemade masks as part of her Mask Collection and Sharing Program. Donated masks are delivered to low-income individuals and seniors in need. Interested persons can donate masks to the program by emailing [email protected] or calling (512) 463-0647.