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First Lady Britainy Beshear announces 'Coverings for Kids' program aimed at safely reopening schools

People can donate face masks to local school districts
Posted at 4:42 PM, Aug 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-04 16:42:41-04

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — First Lady Britainy Beshear has announced a new program where people across Kentucky can donate facial coverings directly to local school districts.

The program, "Covering for Kids," aims to reduce the spread of COVID-19 so schools can reopen safely.

"Kentuckians generosity is unmatched, and during this pandemic, this program will help ensure each school has enough masks to protect their students and staff," said First Lady Beshear.

Each district will choose how to distribute donated face coverings. Most districts plan to give them to children who may need extra face masks, knowing that students may lose or break them or get them dirty throughout the school day. Donations will also be provided to teachers.

School districts will set up donation centers and appoint local coordinators. Each school district will receive a donation tracking form and an outreach packet that will assist educators with language, graphics, drafted social media posts, and emails for promotion.

School districts that start the year with non-traditional instruction (NTI) or move to NTI at any point during the year can still participate. Depending on their needs, NTI districts could store donated masks until schools reopen or distribute masks to students during NTI to use in other settings where masks are required.

Both child- and adult-size facial coverings are accepted. The coverings can be bought or homemade. There are links to tutorials and patterns that include both child and adult sizes online.

People can drop off facial coverings at district-level donation centers starting on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Those locations will be announced soon. For more information and updates on the program, click here.