Arlington hands out 250,000 masks to business employees to ‘help our community rebound’
The new Globe Life Field in Arlington is not yet open to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic, but one of the parking lots was seeing plenty of action Wednesday.
The action came in the form of people driving through to receive free protective masks for employees at Arlington businesses and restaurants.
In all, 250,000 masks provided by Tarrant County were available for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable in the community. Each employee at a business was provided two masks.
“We’re supplying masks for patients and staff and we were running low. We’ve had to wear some masks, if they weren’t too soiled, for a week,” said Kimberley White, admissions coordinator for American Renal Associates. “The City of Arlington is amazing. I’ve lived here 32 years, and they’re always stepping up for the community.”
Kishani Mathiasz, regional director for K.I.D.S. Humpty Dumpty Academy, said finding masks for herself and her staff in the child care industry has been a challenge.
“I have about 20 staff members, and we have about 75 to 80 kids. It’s been hard to find masks, and this helps so much,” she said. “And we have to be open because we’re helping the essential workers.”
The City of Arlington partnered with Tarrant County, the Texas Rangers, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Arlington Management Corporation for Wednesday’s giveaway in conjunction with phase one of Texas’ reopening.
Jay Warren, communications director for the City of Arlington, said the donation is another example of Arlington leaders putting citizens first.
He said Mayor Jeff Williams’ “Meals for Mission” campaign helped local restaurants and Mission Arlington, and added that the city raised almost $450,000 for its nonprofit organizations Tuesday during North Texas Giving Day.
Arlington also recently operated its first site for drive-thru COVID-19 testing.
“All of these are steps Arlington is doing to help our community rebound,” Warren said. “That is the Arlington way.”