City handing out an accessory for Super Bowl weekend…masks

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The City of Rochester is trying to make sure people have an important accessory this Super Bowl weekend: masks.

It’s been two days since the state loosened up its requirements for wearing masks. Saturday, the city distributed masks and saw a steady flow of people. Organizers say with the turnout they had, they think people aren’t abandoning their mask just yet.

The city had about 5,000 bags that had two test kits and four KN-95 masks in them to hand out. While News10NBC was there, organizers said they handed out a good chunk of them, and it was good timing, too, ahead of Super Bowl gatherings.

"Super Bowl Sunday… people are going to gather, so this is an opportunity for them to get free tests so they can test themselves and family members,” said Dr. Shirley Green, commissioner with the Rochester Department of Recreation and Human Services.

For some, gearing up for the big game could include a rapid test and a mask.

"As they go on their way back to work or to school,” Green said.

Walking into your favorite businesses you might see "mask recommended" instead of "mask mandatory." During a test kit and mask giveaway in Rochester Saturday afternoon, organizers say they had a decent flow of people, even with new guidelines.

"We’ll always have people who want to have additional safe practices, so I think there will always be an opportunity for the community who want to have access to masks and test kits,” Green added.

It wasn’t clear when the next handout would be, but city officials say as they get more, they’ll be handed out.