General Motors will donate two million facemasks to Detroit area public schools as students begin to head back to classrooms.
The automaker says it will distribute the two million child-size masks to Michigan’s intermediate school districts in coordination with the State of Michigan’s Community Service Commission in the coming weeks. This donation joins the numerous other mask contributions GM has made to public institutions in Michigan, with the automaker having given away over 6 million medical-grade masks in the state so far.
“This is great news for our students, educators and support staff who need access to face masks to protect themselves and their families,” said Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Until there is a vaccine, it’s crucial that all Michiganders continue to mask up, and we are working around the clock to ensure everyone has access to a mask. I am grateful for GM’s partnership and dedication to protecting our students and educators during this time, and I look forward to working with everyone who wants to help us provide masks to our most vulnerable populations.”
GM began making facemasks at a former transmission plant in Warren, Michigan in March of this year as the coronavirus pandemic caused shortages in the United States and abroad. In addition to donating the masks to hospitals, clinics, schools and other public institutions, the masks are also sent to the automaker’s various manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S. for employees to use. More than 10 million face masks have been produced at the Warren facility to date.
“We know many teachers, parents and students are focused on the challenges of returning to school this fall,” Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice president of Global Manufacturing, said in a statement. “At GM, we are proud to play a small part in making the transition easier by providing face masks to the Michigan schools that need them most.”
Subscribe to GM Authority for more General Motors related COVID-19 news and ongoing General Motors news coverage.
Comments
This is very cool. I don’t think GM gets enough credit for everything it’s been doing to help with COVID-19. It’s just one American company, but it’s been doing a lot of really amazing things at the same time it tries to move forward as a business. Thanks to everyone involved, from Mary Barra down the line.