Actor Matthew McConaughey donates 80,000 face masks

HOUSTON: Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila Alves have donated approximately 80,000 face masks to COVID-19 first responders in Texas and Louisiana.

The couple gave away the masks at the Austin Fire Department, officials told US media channel Fox News. The COVID-19 death toll in Texas reached 270 on Sunday, following a rise of nearly 1,000 more positive tests for the disease in the state.

Camila wrote on Instagram about the donations. She wrote, “Our mission is to protect those who protect us, by providing healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers and others with approximately 80,000 masks needed to battle the #COVID19 virus.”

She hoped that the move would “inspire you to pick a lane to help others whatever that lane is even if your lane is helping your neighbour, calling people, emotional support, donations, volunteer… pick a lane and do it well! Stay strong this too shall pass.”

Expressing their gratitude, the Austin Fire Department tweeted: “The C-shift at Station 32 got a surprise yesterday, when McConaughey and @iamcamilaalves stopped by to let us know we’re getting several 1,000 N-95 masks soon, part of their donation of 80K to healthcare workers, FFs, and police officers”

Last month, McConaughey urged students at the University of Texas in Austin to stay at their homes after dozens tested positive following an ill-fated spring-break trip to Mexico.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#Repost @camilamcconaughey: Our mission is to protect those who protect us, by providing healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and others with approximately 80,000 masks needed to battle the #COVID19 virus. Matthew and I have teamed up with the organization #BStrong. We are passionate about helping first responders from our hometown Austin – Texas, Louisiana and nationwide as we combat this national pandemic. #thisisacrisis ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We will not go quietly. We will #BStrong⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ @officiallymcconaughey and I will be working with @bethennyfrankle, @globalempowermentmission, Bill and Tracey Marshall, @theellenshow, @billyjoel and many more on this amazing initiative – if you would like to help please see the link in bio.

A post shared by Women of Today By Camila Alves (@womenoftoday) on Apr 10, 2020 at 7:47am PDT