Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group is providing health care workers and other residents with personal protective equipment.
The command group partnered with Renfro Corp., a legwear brand and manufacturing company, to make face masks available across the state. The state is purchasing five million masks at $1.65 each.
“Our first distribution has already gone out to all 95 health departments in the State of Tennessee,” Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday. “Any Tennessean can receive those masks free of charge at your local health department.”
A spokesman for the state says they’ve received 400,000 masks from Renfro so far — an additional 600,000 will be delivered this weekend.
According to the Unified Command, the “masks are made with a terry polyester material with Lycra blend tie straps.” They say the material, which is designed with small holes, allows for easier breathing.
The masks are also washable.
Lee says the state is also working to provide touchless thermometers to businesses, and partnering with research and development company Battelle to decontaminate the N-95 respirator masks used by health care workers.
Meanwhile, dental offices reopened earlier this week. Small recreation companies — including bowling alleys — will be allowed to reopen on Friday.
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