Masks Donated to the MTA by the Brooklyn Nets
See Photos of Today’s Pop-Up ‘Mask Force’
See Video of Nets Forward Joe Harris Thanking Transit Workers for Keeping the City Moving Throughout the Pandemic
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) leadership, employees and volunteers participated in a pop-up “Mask Force” event at the Atlantic Av-Barclays Center station in Brooklyn today to hand out free, limited-edition Brooklyn Nets masks to thank fans for taking the train to the game. The KF94 masks were donated to the MTA by the Nets.
Nets forward Joe Harris also recorded a video thanking transit workers for keeping the city moving throughout the pandemic. Transit workers were among the essential workers honored at the Nets home opener in December.
“I want to thank the Nets for this donation, which will allow our customers to support their favorite team while also protecting themselves and their fellow riders,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Sarah Meyer. “Public transit is the best way to get to the Barclays Center, and the sooner we beat COVID, the sooner more people will be able to cheer on the team in person.”
Mask usage throughout the system has exceeded 98% and free masks are available through various means including Mask Force, ambassador programs, free availability at stations, free mask dispensers on buses, and PPE vending machines across the MTA network.
Approximately 1,000 New Yorkers have volunteered for the MTA Mask Force since inception. The program focuses primarily on about a dozen subway stations for maximum line coverage and the busiest bus hubs with broad coverage across New York City. Employees and volunteers wear bright yellow t-shirts and vests identifying them as part of the team. The Mask Force has distributed more than 600,000 masks since July 2020.
To sign up to volunteer for the MTA Mask Force, visit https://new.mta.info/maskforce.
The MTA has acquired for distribution to employees and customers nearly 27 million masks to date. In addition to the over eight million masks available for customers, the Authority has also made available 750,000 2-oz bottles of hand sanitizer. Additionally, the Authority has distributed to its workforce 18.7 million masks, 20.3 million pairs of gloves, 122,000 gallons of hand sanitizer, 260,000 7-oz and 2-oz bottles of hand sanitizer, 13.7 million individual sanitizing cleaning wipes, 277,000 gallons of cleaning solution and 18,000 face shields.
The MTA has held 10 full-scale Mask Force events in addition to small pop-up events like this one. Wearing a face covering on public transportation in New York is required by law under Executive Order 202.18 issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on April 17, 2020. A $50 fine was implemented on Sept. 14, 2020 for violations. As a reminder, customers who are partially or fully vaccinated are still required to wear a mask while in the transit system.