Rescuing Families to donate N95 masks

Rescuing Families Inc., a Franklin Square-based nonprofit organization is collecting N95 masks for healthcare professionals, elderly residents and people with compromised immune systems.

The masks include respirators to protect people from airborne particles and from liquid contaminating the face, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The ‘N95’ designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small particles.

As of Monday, the organization collected 500 masks, which will be distributed to first responders and healthcare professionals first, according to Gina Centauro, co-founder of Rescuing Families Inc.

“The more we get, the more people can have them,” she said.

The Centers for Disease Control, however, does not recommend that the general public wear N95 respirators, and people with chronic respiratory, cardiac or other medical conditions that make breathing difficult should check with their healthcare providers before using an N95 mask.

Donations could be dropped off at 1010 Lewiston Street in Franklin Square. For more information, call Gina at (516) 697 - 9403.