I just read an article this morning, I think Walgreen's will be the first and says they should have them by this weekend. It also said that when they have them, they will have out a sign. You will be allowed 3 per person.

Gelson's and Bristol Farms have been doing it for over a year here now, and possibly two years.

All the hospitals have been giving them out here when you visit as well.

I read that CVS pharmacies will be giving them out but don’t have them yet.

Yes bragu, it's the change we get back from paying our tax bill...

Lars these are N95 masks. I know a lot of stores and such have been giving away the disposable surgical masks for quite awhile, but these are different.

From the WSJ: Nearly all of the pharmacies and community healthcare centers that participated in the government’s free vaccine program have agreed to be pickup points for the free mask program, according to the White House. This means most major chains, such as Rite-Aid, Walgreens and CVS, will have them, along with many independent locations.

Rite-Aid anticipates the free masks to be in some stores beginning later this week, a spokeswoman said, with all stores offering the masks by early February. CVS said it expects the masks to arrive in coming weeks. A Walgreens spokeswoman said its first stores to offer masks would have them available on Jan. 28, and “will continue on a rolling basis in the days and weeks following.”

Hy-Vee pharmacies in the Midwest began distributing masks at some locations on Friday. All 275 Hy-Vee pharmacies in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin will have masks by midweek, a company spokeswoman said.

Meijer stores have also received shipments and are handing out masks in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin, according to the White House. Southeastern grocery stores such as Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie will get masks by the end of this week, according to the White House, along with some of the federally qualified health centers participating in the program.

Went grocery shopping Tuesday morning at my local Meijer (N.E. Grand Rapids) store and they were handing out the N95 masks. 3 to a person.

Yes, on Saturday morning my little suburb had 2 drive-up locations. We were given 2 packages of 5 masks. Two other suburbs did the same.

Nearby Milwaukee had give-aways last week.

honibaker Were these N95 masks that are being provided by the government ? From what I've read, they won't be available most places until later this week.

Friends told me that Meijer's had them this morning and that Kroger will be getting them tomorrow and Walgreen's on Friday.

Oh good , our one N95 we own is really cruddy from sanding or grinding items over the years. We just never remember to buy a new one. . If I see one I'll grab it and throw it in the garage. I need to sand and restain my handrails when the weather breaks.

Gelson's and Bristol Farms have been doing it for over a year here now, and possibly two years.

I think that this thread is about the free N95 masks from the government.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/free-n95-mask-how-to-get/

woodrose, I assume they came from the federal govt.....Milwaukee acquired 1 million masks, and started distributing them on 1/13/2022 through health centers, and later (in suburbs) through fire stations and libraries. None of local news stories mention where they were obtained.

Was going to say we won't need them but functionthenlook's idea will work for us. Could always use a fresh dust mask for renovations.

Same here, wildchild.

That is the problem with government give-aways, there are always people out there with their hand out ready to abuse the intention of the program. Gotta watch out for those welfare queens.

NB To be perfectly clear, I am not availing myself of free masks because I ordered N95s months ago. I have plenty for my family. It would feel wrong to take from others who might need them more than I do- much the less take masks for a use they were not intended for. Conservatives always carp about government largesse being abused ...

"Oh good , our one N95 we own is really cruddy from sanding or grinding items over the years."

Why do some find the need to continue to demonstrate the breadth of their uninformed thinking?

I have not seen any ( and have been in several of the stores listed in the past few days) but somewhere I did read that today , Friday, they would be available. I have Rite Aid, Walgreen's, CVS along with some supermarkets that were offering the vaccines, quite close to my house so I thought I would give a try today.

I will post back if I am able to get any today.

#2 DD got three at Hy-Vee Pharmacy tonight.

I'm not looking for them. I live in Florida. They're probably available here, but not required/necessary//wanted.

I happened to be in a Meijer in Ohio the other day and they had them on a table at the door. They went fast. I found them to be pretty uncomfortable and will probably continue to double mask and keep my distance from people. I have a funeral to go to next weekend, so I will use the N95 for that.