Osan City Begins Free Distribution of 'Ttaseum Masks' to All Elementary, Middle and High Schools

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Osan City began free distribution of the 'Ttaseum Mask' on April 1st, a project it has been leading nationwide as the first to protect students from COVID-19.

The student-use Ttaseum Mask, made from filter-replaceable cotton masks, will provide approximately 62,000 masks and filters to approximately 31,000 students across 43 schools in the city, with 2 masks per person.

The 'Ttaseum Mask' is a crisis-overcoming project unique to Osan City, designed to protect students from COVID-19 and prepare for mask shortages.

The 'Ttaseum Mask' is a cloth mask produced by Osan City's social cooperative with functional fabrics and replaceable filters for repeated use. Since Osan City announced free distribution, many local governments across the nation have been making inquiries.

Meanwhile, the city is conducting the 'Ttaseum Mask Project,' in which citizens directly make and donate masks to combat COVID-19, protect citizens' health, and foster a spirit of sharing and harmony, distributing masks to transportation workers such as taxi and bus drivers, and vulnerable populations.

Osan Mayor Kwak Sang-wook, who participated directly in mask distribution at school sites, said, "We will do our best to overcome this global crisis together with our citizens," adding "In this process, creating a safe educational environment for students is of paramount importance."

Nam Hyun-seok, superintendent of the Gyeonggi Hwaseong-Osan Office of Education who accompanied the mayor, said, "Osan City's proactive interest and preemptive measures for students have been implemented," and "This will be of great help to busy school sites due to the postponement of the school opening."