Free N95 masks run out at Durham libraries after 2 days. Here’s where else to get them.
In less than two days, Durham County ran out of 30,000 N95 masks that were distributed at public libraries due to high demand for COVID-19 protection.
Durham began distributing the masks on Tuesday at six libraries, but by almost 11 a.m., three libraries had run out of the masks and officials were hurrying to restock. By 2:20 p.m., all libraries, except for the Main Library, had run out.
Wednesday, locations were restocked, but the county health department said in the afternoon they had depleted the supply and the distribution at public libraries would be “paused” indefinitely.
Similar situations are occurring across the Triangle. Orange County ran out of its masks on Monday, the first day of distribution, hours after distributing them at the Orange County Public Library in Hillsborough and Inter-Faith Council for Social Service in Carrboro.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the N95 heavy-duty respirators, saying they’re more effective at preventing the spread of the contagious omicron variant. Health officials say N95 masks as well as KN95 masks offer more protection than cloth masks.
The Durham County Health Department said masks will remain available at the county’s Optum Serve testing locations for people getting a COVID-19 test.
Those will be available for pickup only at drive-through testing booths after completing testing and are not available for people in vehicles who are not getting tested.
People getting tested are able to receive two bags of five N95 masks, the County said previously.
Durham County is conducting testing at the below locations:
▪ Durham County Memorial Stadium (750 Stadium Drive): 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
▪ El Centro Hispano (2000 Chapel Hill Road): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
▪ Wheels Fun Park (715 N. Hoover Road): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
▪ 414 E. Main St.: Saturday-Sunday only, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Masks in Wake County
Mask supply has run low in Wake County, which restocked its amount of masks on Tuesday and will distribute through Friday while supplies last.
Residents can get masks from the County at the following locations:
▪ Wake County Public Health Center, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
▪ Wake County Western Health & Human Services Center, 111 James Jackson Ave., Cary, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
▪ Wake County Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
▪ Wake County Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
▪ Wake County Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina, 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
▪ Wake County Human Services Center (vaccine clinic location), 5809 Departure Drive, Raleigh, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Residents can check if there are masks available ahead of time by visiting wakegov.com/covid.
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 7:04 PM.
