New Bedford distribution of masks for Ward 5 and 6 residents this weekend

Through MaskNB initiative, City of New Bedford offers free masks to all city residents who want them.

MaskNB, an initiative announced by Mayor Jon Mitchell in partnership with the Southeastern Massachuestts chapter of the American Red Cross and Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation, will continue mask distribution this weekend, June 13 and 14, at New Bedford High School’s parking lot.

Distribution began in May and has continued with thousands of masks provided to residents of Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4. The distribution of cloth masks at no cost to City residents continues with Ward 5 and 6 residents this weekend, as the distribution is organized by Ward. The distribution will be done through an organized drive-through system for cars, observing social distancing. Residents are asked to limit their mask requests to those in their household and/or any elderly or vulnerable neighbors (who have been advised against leaving their homes).

On Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., residents of Ward 5 may pick up masks at New Bedford High School’s parking lot, 230 Hathaway Boulevard. Ward 5 includes most of the West End of New Bedford, including the neighborhoods around Buttonwood Park, Hawthorn Street and its intersecting streets to the north and south, Orchard Street south to Thompson Street, and the neighborhoods around Rural Cemetery and St. Luke’s Hospital.

On Sunday, June 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., residents of Ward 6 may pick up masks at New Bedford High School’s parking lot, 230 Hathaway Boulevard. Ward 6 includes the South End of New Bedford, including the entire South End peninsula from Cove Street south to Fort Taber, as well as County Street and its intersecting streets south of Rivet Street, and neighborhoods around Ashley Park and Goulart Square.

Any resident who is unsure of the Ward in which they live may visit wheredoivotema.com and enter their address. This website provides polling location, and the first information noted is the Ward in which the resident lives. Residents do not need to be registered voters to use this online tool.

Under the MaskNB distribution plan, interested residents in each of the City’s six Wards will have an opportunity to obtain free cloth face masks at New Bedford High School, 230 Hathaway Boulevard, on the following assigned dates and times:

• Ward 5 Saturday, June 13 – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Ward 6 Sunday, June 14 – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Distribution of masks to Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 took place over the last two weekends. The dates are listed at www.masknb.com. Additional dates may be announced based on available supplies.

Residents should arrive at the main vehicle entrance of New Bedford High School, located at 230 Hathaway Boulevard, and remain in their vehicles as Red Cross volunteers hand out masks based on their requests. Residents are asked to limit their mask requests to those in their household and/or any elderly or vulnerable neighbors (who have been advised against leaving their homes).

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the MaskNB initiative on May 14. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the wearing of cloth face coverings in public where social distancing is difficult to maintain; cloth face coverings are not a substitute for medical-grade masks, but provide more protection against the spread of viruses than not covering one’s face. More information about the use and effectiveness of cloth face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.