Fort Wayne received its first two shipments of 4,000 surgical masks each from its Sister City, Taizhou, China.

Since 2012 Fort Wayne, Indiana has enjoyed a Sister City relationship with Taizhou, China. During this current COVID-19 outbreak we have been in close communication with all of our Sister Cities. Our friends in Taizhou have been quick to assemble and send surgical masks to Fort Wayne in an effort to help medical professionals and our most vulnerable people from catching and spreading this virus in our community.

Fort Wayne expects to receive a total of 20,000 masks from Taizhou. The shipments are being sent in 2,000 unit blocks. The first two shipments were delivered today to Allen County Department of Health’s Department Administrator Mindy Waldron, and Director of Food and Consumer Protection Steve Shumm from Fort Wayne Sister Cities International’s Assistant Chair of the Taizhou Committee Suzi Hanzel and Marketing Chair J. Michael McAfee.

Waldron says this first shipment will be dispersed to emergency service workers and long-term care facilities.