Readers Write: Free KN95 Masks Promised During Smoke Alert, But Local Sites Had None

Dear Editor:

I saw on BoroPark24 that the city was giving out free KN95 masks because of the poor air quality. I thought it was a great idea, especially for people with asthma, seniors, and anyone trying to avoid breathing in all that smoke. So I went to one of the listed locations. Nothing. No signs, no masks, and the workers had no idea what I was talking about. Thinking maybe it was just one location, I went to a second one that was also on the city’s official list. Same story. No masks, no information, and nobody there had been told anything.

It makes you wonder whether these announcements are made to actually help people or just to generate a nice press release. If the city announces that masks are available, shouldn’t the locations actually have masks and staff who know what’s going on? This feels like another example of an announcement that starts and ends with good PR for the city while the people it’s supposed to help are left confused. Thankfully, BoroPark24 keeps residents informed, but the city should make sure its own plans actually reach the ground before announcing them.

Sarah P.