On Tuesday, May 26, 2020, Dougherty County Emer- gency Operations Center (EOC) received 50,000 masks from the State of Georgia Governor’s Office for residents in the community. The masks were sent after Chairman Christopher S. Cohilas of the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners spoke with Governor Kemp on the immediate need and shortage of masks in the area.

“I want to offer my sincerest thanks and appreciation to Governor Kemp and his staff for the gener- ous donation of masks to protect the citizens of Albany and Dougherty County,” said Christopher S. Cohilas, Chairman of the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners. “In order to help our part of the state continue to flatten the curve of the COVID19 pandemic, it is more than essential for us to arm our residents with every resource possible to protect themselves and their neighbors.”

“Over the past few months, our team has worked closely with community leaders across Georgia, including Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas and his colleagues, to fight the spread of COVID-19 and get critically needed resources to Georgians,” said Governor Kemp. “We deeply appreciate our strong partnership with local officials throughout this effort to protect the health and well-being of all Georgians.”

“GEMA/HS continues to respond to the needs of our partners in Dougherty County by sourcing and distributing PPE,” said Director Homer Bryson. “We are working hard to meet the challenge of ensur- ing counties have critical resources to keep their citizens safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.”