Healthy Klamath provides face masks to youth and adults in Klamath County

The following is a press release from

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - With the help of grant funding from the Oregon Health Authority, Healthy Klamath is continuing to support the community in 2021. The local coalition recently received 3,000 reusable face masks in adult and youth sizes, which it has begun to share with individuals and organizations. In addition to these face masks, Healthy Klamath has been a conduit of resources since the onset of the pandemic.

The navy blue face masks are 3-layer, with an antimicrobial interlayer, and are machine washable.

“When face masks were not commercially available, we helped support local sewists, by receiving and distributing the thousands of hand-made, donated masks that local crafters were assembling. Then, we were able to share KN95 masks that were provided by our County Commissioners. Now, we’re able to help replace masks that may be worn out, or provide a reusable option in place of disposable masks,” says Merritt Driscoll, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project and Co-chair of the Healthy Klamath Coalition.

Recently, Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center received 700 face masks from Healthy Klamath to distribute with their Meals on Wheels and food box program. In January 2021, the Senior Center provided over 6,000 meals through their Meals on Wheels program, and provides on average 150 food boxes each month. Older adults – a group that is at an increased risk of having severe health outcomes if they contract COVID-19, are a particularly vulnerable population during this time. Healthy Klamath has partnered closely with the organization in the past, and was sure to reach out when they heard that homebound seniors might not have masks available, or may not understand that they need to wear a mask even when answering their door.

Marc Kane, Executive Director for the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center stated that, “…it’s not without the extraordinary help for its partners that the senior center has been able to serve so many additional Meals-On-Wheels during the pandemic and been able to lunch a robust curbside pickup food box program to replace the temporarily suspended congregate meal at the center. Special thanks to the Klamath County Food Bank for additional food supplies, Klamath Hospice for new volunteers, Klamath