'Mask Mobile' Makes Debut In Sarasota To Stem Coronavirus

SARASOTA, FL — If you spot a mask-wearing electric vehicle around the city, you may be in for a surprise — not to mention a free mask.

City officials plan to give away up to 50,000 protective face masks over the next week to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

“In April, an online survey we conducted showed that 71 percent of the 1,400 respondents want masks to be required in public until the COVID-19 threat has passed," Sarasota City Manager City Manager Tom Barwin said.

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Residents can get a free mask when they see the Mask Mobile, an electric vehicle outfitted with a surgical mask across the front grill. It even has two eyes on the windshield.

"Our goal is to help facilitate and encourage everyone to be a kind neighbor and adopt this simple practice of wearing a mask when away from home," Barwin said. "Thank you to Rosemary District residents David Lough and Moriah Taliaferro for their involvement, input and creativity with this public outreach campaign.”

Some city staff members will also be carrying paper masks and cloth masks to give away to visitors and residents as they perform their duties throughout Sarasota.

City officials strongly urge the public to wear protective masks outside of their homes as part of the public health emergency declaration. The city distributed 10,000 masks to residents in May.

The Florida Department of Health also recently issued a public health advisory recommending all people in Florida wear masks in any setting where social distancing is not possible.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and not know it.

“Public health experts have made it clear that whenever social distancing is not possible, face coverings are the next best option for halting the spread of this highly contagious virus," Barwin added. "If a presymptomatic person and COVID-free person are both wearing masks when crossing paths, the possible spread of the virus is reduced by 95 percent.”

A state-run, walk-up COVID-19 testing site is available at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex at 1845 34th St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until daily testing capacity is reached. Testing is open to everyone, regardless of residency or symptoms without appointments.

To reach a Sarasota-specific call center for questions and concerns about the Coronavirus, call 941-861-2883 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Visit www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 for more information on the coronavirus in Florida. You can also call 866-779-6121. The hotline is available 24 hours per day.