COUNTY NEWS

Los Alamos County has a limited supply of free face masks available for those who cannot make their own or are having difficulty obtaining or purchasing masks.  The County is offering one package per request. Each package contains five cloth masks.

Beginning Wednesday, June 3, Los Alamos residents or businesses can stop by and pick up their package of free masks outside the closed customer service windows at the Customer Care Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., located on the first floor of the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave., Los Alamos, NM.  Those unable to pick up a free mask are asked to call the Customer Care Center at (505) 662-8333 for delivery assistance. 

 Face masks have been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to greatly slow the spread of the coronavirus, especially for asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals infected with the coronavirus. Further, in New Mexico it is required for individuals to wear a mask when out in public as announced in a May 15, 2020 press release issued by NM Governor Lujan-Grisham and further emphasized in the Governor’s Economic Recovery Council’s booklet issued, May 15, 2020: All Together New Mexico – COVID Safe-Practices for Individuals and Employers. 

 Information on how to 1) make a face cloth covering, 2) wear one, and 3) clean them is available on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.  The New Mexico Department of Health is also mailing free masks. New Mexicans can fill out the online form with a name and address and the NM Dept. of Health will mail one.  The online link is: https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/97frS9fahq292waAbVbl0B.  Los Alamos County will provide one package of five cloth masks to a requestor in Los Alamos until the supply runs out.  Contact the Customer Care Center at 505.662.8333 for assistance.

 For businesses or organizations that need large quantities of masks and other protective equipment and cleaning supplies, visit the New Mexico COVID-19 Emergency Supply Sourcing and Manufacturing website:  https://www.nmcovid19.org/  for a list of vendors and supplies available for purchase.