Mask availability abundant as Columbia ordinance set to take effect

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Stores around Columbia said Friday they have masks and materials to make them just hours before a face-covering requirement goes into effect.

ABC 17 News contacted multiple businesses ahead of Columbia's face mask ordinance that goes into effect at 5 p.m. to see if they carried masks.

The ordinance describes a face mask as "a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers only the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face. Masks may be factory-made, or handmade and improvised from ordinary household materials."

Hobby Lobby in Columbia had about 20 face masks left Friday moring but the store reported having bandanas and other materials to make masks from.

Joann Fabrics and Crafts on Nifong Boulevard is also carrying masks. The store had both kid and adult sizes.

Walmart on Broadway and Target both had masks as well, with Target just getting a shipment in Friday morning.

Home Depot in Columbia said it has no N-95 masks in stock but fabric masks are available.

No Gas in downtown Columbia also has masks available for purchase at the counter.

Lorie Helton-Fussner, the creator of the Facebook group Central MO Mask Makers, said that they have all but shut their operation down after making masks for many across Mid-MO. Fussner said their services simply aren't needed anymore with the abundance of masks available.

Karis Church announced last month that it is collecting masks to donate to Columbia Public Schools for children who don't have them.

Check back here or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6 for updates to this story.