FOP TO DISTRIBUTE FACE MASKS TODAY

The Fraternal Order of Police, Crescent City Lodge will begin the process of delivering facemasks to NOPD officers today by providing a limited supply of facemasks to each district.

This will be the first phase of delivery with additional facemasks and nitrile gloves being made available to other NOPD units and individual officers on Monday.

These facemasks are “multi-purpose disposable facemasks” and ARE NOT N-95 respirators.

There is a national discussion as to how much protection these facemasks provide to the wearer, and a national recommendation on the use/wearing of facemasks by the general public is expected in the coming days.

Our limited research shows that these masks assist in containing the spread of coronavirus to others, and do provide a modicum of protection against the disease by the wearer.  They tend to assist the wearer from touching the nose and mouth area, and also make the wearer more conscious of the fact that the disease is prevalent and very contagious and precautions should always be taken.

These masks should be worn in conjunction with nitrile gloves and should never be touched with bare hands.  If the wearer believes he/she has come in contact with a compromised surface, both gloves and facemask should be re-sanitized or replaced.

WEARING OF NITRILE GLOVES AND MASKS ARE NOT AN EXCUSE TO IGNORE OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN, WITH SANITIZER OR SOAP AND WARM WATER, VIGOROUSLY AND FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS.  (The 20 seconds part is important because research shows that is how long it takes to breakdown and destroy the coronavirus while washing hands).

DO NOT TOUCH YOU FACE, ESPECIALLY YOUR EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH, UNLESS YOU HAVE SANITIZED YOUR HANDS.

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING – STAY AT LEAST SIX (6) FEET AWAY FROM OTHERS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.  (Latest research shows that coronavirus may be spread by simply speaking with others, and does not need coughing or sneezing to be spread).

Jim Gallagher
FOP Crescent City Lodge #2

The FOP first distributed hand sanitizer on March 4, 2020 to NOPD’s 8 District for distribution to frontline officers.

The FOP also distributed nitrile gloves to NOPD personnel on March 31 and April 1, 2020. These gloves were distributed to the NOPD’s 8 Districts and S.O.D., as well as some smaller units.

Right now, across the country, it is difficult to get PPE. However, the FOP is committed to trying to help its membership, which makes up 90% of all NOPD commissioned officers, stay as safe as possible in light of the circumstances.

Donovan