White House to send 200,000 masks to Suffolk to help with pandemic

The announcement comes after a desperate call for protective gear to keep those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic safe.

News 12 Staff

Apr 6, 2020, 9:48 AM

Updated 1,470 days ago

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A total of 200,000 N95 masks are expected to reach Suffolk County today.
The announcement comes after a desperate call for protective gear to keep those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic safe.
Posts on social media circulated for days from local nurses and doctors in desperate need at hospitals, like Good Samaritan in West Islip.
On Sunday, 150,000 surgical masks were delivered to Suffolk County.
The shipment came after Congressman Lee Zeldin was informed by officials in the county that their stockpile of personal protective equipment was out of surgical masks, N95 masks, gowns and face shields.
"What is really significant I think that the congressman has done is get that commitment from the White House, that they understand what's happening here, and they understand the needs, and that they will work with us," says Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.
Rep. Zeldin was told by the White House that they want to make sure Suffolk County has enough supplies to get them through the next 30 days.
PHOTOS: The world copes with the spread of COVID-19
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