Cook County EMA to distribute thousands of masks

ADEL, Ga. — As COVID-19 numbers begin to increase again across the state of Georgia, case numbers are spiking in our area.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the official report from the Department of Public Health puts the new total for Cook County around 200.

County County Emergency Management agency Director, Johnny West says, “GEMA sent us these masks to give the masks out to the public, and because all the counties around here, everyone’s numbers are climbing. Ours went from 51 on june 1st to 195 yesterday afternoon.

With case numbers starting to rise in the Tift County area, Cook County’s first responders are helping to distribute thousands of masks across the area.

The masks are being given out in high traffic areas.

“They gave us 3,000 masks to give out to the general population, so we’ve teamed up with Dollar General stores in Omega and Adel, and they’re distributing the masks through there,” says West.

While the county’s first responders will be doing their part to give out masks to the general public, it’s a small part of the solution.

West says that proper guidelines still need to take into consideration.

He says, “Still work on social distancing, try to stay six feet apart. If you’re out shopping, go by yourself, let the rest of the family stay home, and leave that safe distance between you and the next shopper in the stores while you’re all out.”

As many counties are watching COVID-19 numbers rise again, first responders are trying to make sure that there isn’t a shortage of masks in the county.