Herb Washington donates more than 400 masks to Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN — When the coronavirus pandemic started to take hold in Mahoning County, Valley businessman Herb Washington asked himself how he could protect those who protect the community.

On Wednesday, Washington met with Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, police Chief Robin Lees and fire Chief Barry Finley at the Covelli Centre to donate more than 400 medical masks to use in each department and in City Hall. He also donated masks to a local oncology office.

Masks have been notoriously hard to find during the pandemic. Local first responders have had to resort to reusing masks — which are created for single-use — to avoid running out.

Because "they touch everything," Washington, owner of HLW Fast Track Inc., chose to donate the supplies to first responders.

"They have to be out there, and they can't be discretionary in terms of a call that comes up," Washington said.

He is connected with a company that supplies personal protective equipment to agencies throughout the country. If local first responders need additional masks, there's a good chance Washington will be able to procure more, he said.

"They protect us," Washington said. "What is it I can do perhaps to protect them? This was a way to do that. I feel privileged to be able to reach out and do something like this."

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 4:11 AM with the headline "Herb Washington donates more than 400 masks to Youngstown."