The generosity of the Perry community during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be on display, with a restaurant providing free cloth face masks to the public.

The Mandarin Cafe, which has been a staple in downtown Perry for over 30 years, announced recently that they have over 1,000 masks on hand to give away. Owner Sun Wong says he hopes the masks will help people stay healthy while the virus numbers continue to climb in Dallas County. The handmade personal protective equipment, while not a complete preventative of the coronavirus spread, has shown to be an effective way for people to protect themselves and others while out in public.

The masks are available at the restaurant, located on 2nd Street adjacent to Josh Davis Plaza, and Wong emphasizes that no purchase is necessary so people can come in and ask for a mask at the counter while supplies last. The Mandarin Cafe has remained open for carryout and delivery through the pandemic, as restaurants are still restricted from offering dine-in services in Dallas County.