The news comes from the city of North Bend, Washington, which is where Nintendo’s North American distribution center is located. A “thank you” post on the city’s website revealed that Nintendo donated the masks to the local fire department, Eastside Fire & Rescue, which will in turn “distribute the masks throughout the region to address immediate needs, including the City of North Bend.”
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This will certainly come in handy, as N95 respirator masks are a step up from the standard surgical mask, since they are designed to protect the wearer from breathing in debris and other particulates. As for why Nintendo happened to have nearly 10,000 masks lying around, company spokesperson Jerry Danson stated that it had originally purchased them for “emergency preparedness planning,” but reasoned that doctors, first responders, and other medical workers in the area could use them more.
“This crisis is unprecedented,” the city’s statement reads. “The safety and security of community members is paramount in our daily mission. The communities served by City of North Bend and Eastside Fire & Rescue deeply appreciate the generous donation from Nintendo.”
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Source: North Bend
