Detroit to give masks to bus riders to slow spread of coronavirus
Bus riders in Detroit enter through the rear of the vehicle on Jefferson Avenue on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Service resumed citywide, a day after drivers didn't report to work over concerns about the coronavirus. Riders will enter and exit through the rear and all rides are free, steps that avoid contact with drivers.(Ed White/AP)
The city of Detroit will give away thousands of free face masks to bus riders in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, officials said.
The decision was made in part after the death of bus driver Jason Hargrove who previously posted a Facebook video criticizing a passenger for not covering their mouth while coughing.
Mayor Mike Duggan and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer worked together to secure 20,000 masks which will be available in boxes near the back of the bus where riders are being encouraged to board and exit buses.
@GovWhitmer has supplied 20,000 face masks. Tomorrow we will make masks available for every single @rideDDOT passenger. If you already have a mask, please allow riders who do not have masks to take one.
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“The hospitals have to have the first priority, but these were masks that weren’t needed at the hospitals,” the mayor said. “We ask every single rider, if you don’t have a mask before you get on the bus, please take one.”
“We have to care for and protect our neighbors,” he added.
So far Detroit has reported 221 coronavirus deaths and over 5,500 cases.
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