Spokane County Commissioners approve $2.7 million in federal aid to pay for PPE in public, private schools

Spokane County commissioners voted to spend $2.7 million in federal COVID-19 aid funds on Monday, supplying local schools with personal protective equipment and sanitizer.

The funding will be used to provide cloth, disposable KN95 and N95 masks for schools. It will also be used for gloves, plexiglass barriers, hand sanitizer and disposable sanitizing wipes.

Commissioners unanimously approved the funding on Monday and will use a portion of the $91 million the county received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to fund the project. The County has already spent more than $40 million on small business grants, contact tracing at the Spokane Regional Health District, and food assistance and marketing. Earlier this month commissioners also approved $2.6 million for local school districts to provide internet, technology and staffing costs assistance.

County Spokesman Jared Webley said PPE will be available for both public and private schools in Spokane County.

Spokane County will manage the program and deliver and store the supplies and the funds should provide enough PPE for the entire school year, according to a county news release.

It also received assistance from the Northeast Washington Education Service District 101, which helped survey schools and will help the county to connect with schools in the district that may need assistance taking advantage of the program.

More information about the program is available by emailing PPEInfo@spokanecounty.org.