Mask-Seeking Residents Jam Broome County Distribution Sites

People needing protective masks caused a traffic jam at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City.

Cars showed up at the distribution site well before 8:30 a.m. Friday when it was scheduled to open.

A Johnson City police officer who was in the mall parking lot said officials were surprised by the number of people who arrived early.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said "it was a pretty amazing sight to see" all the vehicles with people seeking the cloth masks. The county Wednesday received 68,000 masks from the federal government.

In addition to the distribution point near the former Macy's store at the mall, masks were available at Otsiningo Park in the town of Dickinson.

Both the mall and park distribution sites are scheduled to be open Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

There is a limit of one mask per person and five masks per household.

Additional mask distribution points are expected to be set up on Monday.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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