While many towns and states are still struggling to obtain masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers, municipal employees, or first responders, Guilford has a comfortable supply set aside for these essential personnel, according to First Selectman Matt Hoey.

That’s why, when he first heard through North Haven First Selectman Mike Freda about a local company that was able to procure large shipments of medical masks for relatively low cost, he initially thought nothing of it. After more consideration, however, Hoey said he realized that Guilford had an opportunity to offer something to its citizens that many people are still struggling to find: masks for their own personal use, provided safely and cheaply.

“People have been calling and asking ‘Where can we find masks?’ “Where can we get masks?’ ‘How do we make them?’” Hoey said. “And I said, ‘Wait a minute—if these folks [at the local company] have access to masks, why don’t I just buy 10,000 for the residents, and make them available?’”

That is exactly what the town is doing this week, after Hoey sat down with town officials including Health Director Dennis Johnson, Guilford Police Chief Jeff Hutchinson, Parks & Recreation Director Rick Maynard, and retired teacher and Guilford CARES leader Dennis Culliton, who together determined the most effective ways to get this important equipment in the hands of residents.

Separating the masks into paper bags, with five for a family or two for a couple, Guilford CARES and Rotary Club volunteers quickly got the masks unpacked and repacked, which are being handed out at two distribution stations at Guilford High School. Residents will not need to get out of their cars to get a mask, according to Maynard—they just have to let a volunteer know whether they need a bag of five or two.

Tables and bags have been handled in the most sanitary conditions, according to Hoey.

Maynard said about 30 volunteers, including members of the St. George’s Men’s Club, will be helping distribute masks on Tuesday, April 28 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for anyone who needs them, and will potentially schedule more days if need be.

The entire process, from ordering the masks to handing them out, has only taken a little more than a week, according to Hoey.

Also in every bag will be a small card with instructions on the most effective use, storage, and handling of the masks written by Johnson and printed at the library, which Maynard lauded for getting more than 3,500 cards printed and delivered in the space of just a day or two,

The total price, after shipping and other charges, will be around $1.30 per mask, according to Hoey. The town is reserving some masks out of the 10,000 for seniors and for town personnel, Hoey said, but “the bulk” will end up in the hands of residents who request them.

Both Hoey and Maynard said it was not clear how many people in town were in need of masks. Maynard said he was “a little concerned” that they might run out before the end of the first distribution day, and that the town was trusting that people would only come and get what they needed.

For more information about the masks or Guilford CARES programs, call the community center at 203-453-8068.