Coronavirus cases continue to climb in Buffalo and Erie County and one local leader has decided to take the fight to stop the spread directly to the streets.
Over the last month, former Erie County legislator Betty Jean Grant has driven around Buffalo's East Side, delivering pertinent information through a PA sound system to residents regarding COVID-19.
On a rainy Thursday afternoon at the corner of East Utica Street and Jefferson Avenue, Grant set up a free drive-up dispensary shop for masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.
“We know the virus does not stop because it rains or snows,” Grant said. “The virus does not stop because we don’t feel like getting out of our cars. And so we said that we can hold this free mask giveaway because the community needs it.”
Grant said frustration over a lack of information being delivered to Buffalo’s Black community spurred her to take action. She said she believes the slow flow of information has caused a general feeling of apathy towards the virus.
“What we’re doing is arming the community,” she said. “As you know, from yesterday’s report, Erie County is going up.”
Grant said the free PPE was available through the generosity community leaders and places like East Buffalo staple ABC Hardware.
