GM To Donate 2M Face Masks To Michigan Public Schools

MICHIGAN — General Motors will donate 2 million face masks to Michigan public schools as part of the state's MI Mask Aid partnership, the company and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday.

GM’s contribution includes 750,000 child-size masks for elementary students, which will be ready for delivery by Sept. 14, and 1.25 million adult-size masks for high school students, faculty and staff, which will be ready for delivery by Sept. 28, the company said.

“This is great news for our students, educators and support staff who need access to face masks to protect themselves and their families," Whitmer said in a statement. "Until there is a vaccine, it’s crucial that all Michiganders continue to mask up, and we are working around the clock to ensure everyone has access to a mask.

"I am grateful for GM’s partnership and dedication to protecting our students and educators during this time, and I look forward to working with everyone who wants to help us provide masks to our most vulnerable populations.”

GM will distribute masks to Michigan’s intermediate school districts in coordination with the State of Michigan’s Community Service Commission. When the public school contribution is complete, GM will have donated more than 6 million face masks produced at its Warren facility to communities across the state affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Robert Gordon, masks reduce a person’s chance of spreading COVID-19 by up to 70 percent. There’s also growing evidence that masks can protect the wearer’s life by reducing the severity of COVID if they are infected, according to a news release.

“We know many teachers, parents and students are focused on the challenges of returning to school this fall,” said Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice president of Global Manufacturing. “At GM, we are proud to play a small part in making the transition easier by providing face masks to the Michigan schools that need them most.”

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GM decided to produce face masks in Michigan on March 20, as the coronavirus pandemic created a critical shortage worldwide. On Tuesday, GM’s Warren facility has two production lines for face masks and a third line making N95 face respirators.

To date, the facility has produced more than 10 million masks, with production going to employees at GM facilities or donated to community organizations, the company said.