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Biden aims to distribute masks to millions in ‘equity’ push

President Biden gestures while seated at a table
President Biden during a virtual meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House on Tuesday.
(Evan Vucci / Associated Press)
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President Biden plans to distribute millions of face masks to Americans in communities hard hit by the coronavirus as part of his efforts to ensure “equity” in the government’s response to the pandemic.

Biden had considered sending masks to all Americans, but is instead adopting a more conservative approach, aiming to reach underserved communities and those bearing the brunt of the outbreak. The Trump administration also considered such plans but shelved them entirely.

Biden’s plan will distribute masks through Federally Qualified Community Health Centers and the nation’s food bank and food pantry systems, the White House announced Wednesday.

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The departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture will be involved in the distribution of more than 25 million American-made cloth masks in both adult and children’s sizes, according to the announcement. The White House estimates they will reach 12 million to 15 million people.

“Not all Americans are wearing masks regularly, not all have access, and not all masks are equal,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients.

Biden hinted at the move Tuesday during a virtual roundtable discussion Tuesday with four essential workers who are Black, saying he expected his administration to send millions of masks to people around the country “very shortly.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki suggested earlier this month that logistical concerns underpinned the decision to scale back the plans to send masks to all Americans.

“I think there are some underlying questions about how you target them — the masks — where they go to first; obviously, it couldn’t happen immediately,” she said.

Biden has asked everyone to wear face masks for the first 100 days of his term. He also required mask wearing in federal buildings and on public transportation.

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