Free N95 Masks Coming To MN: Where To Get Them In St. Michael

ST. MICHAEL, MN — Free N95 masks will be distributed to Minnesotans through multiple retail pharmacy chains in the coming weeks.

The federal government is working with different retailers in each state. Partners in Minnesota include Walgreens, CVS, Costco, Hy-Vee and more.

A full list of partners can be found on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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Walgreens is expected to offer masks starting Friday, but other retailers have cautioned they may take longer to stock their stores with N95 masks.

"We are pleased to partner with the [Biden] Administration to make N95 masks in varying sizes available free of charge at participating Walgreens locations while supplies last," a spokesperson for the company told Patch.

Customers can pick up a maximum of three masks per person.

CVS and Walmart anticipate masks arriving in stores in early to mid-February.

"We anticipate masks will be available by the second week of February at the front of more than 5,100 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs across the country," a Walmart spokesperson said.

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Participating retail-pharmacy locations in the St. Michael area include:

• Walgreens
  • 9 Central Ave. E, St. Michael
  • 21945 141st Ave. N, Rogers
  • 18267 Carson Court NW, Elk River
• CVS
  • 600 Central Ave. E, St. Michael
  • 21615 S. Diamond Lake Road, Rogers
  • 21455 John Milless Dr., Rogers

The Federal Impetus

President Joe Biden and his administration announced last week they would provide 400 million free N95 masks to Americans. The masks all come from the Strategic National Stockpile and will be distributed by retail pharmacies and local health centers.

The nationwide N95 mask distribution is part of a wider COVID-19 response plan that included last week's rollout of a website where Americans can sign up to receive free coronavirus rapid tests, the Associated Press reported.

The CDC updated its face-covering guidance Jan. 14, clearly stating that properly fitted N95 and KN95 masks offer the most protection against COVID-19. However, the agency stopped short of recommending them over cloth masks.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said last week the best mask "is the one that you will wear and the one you keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings."

Reporting by Patch's Alexis Tarrazi was used in this article.