(CNN) Texas prison inmates are making cotton face masks that will be given to first responders for free to alleviate a shortage of medical materials during the coronavirus pandemic, state Sen. John Whitmire said. They expect to produce about 25,000 masks, Whitmire said. The masks are made from locally grown cotton, rather than synthetic material, so they aren't of the highest standards, he said. "They're not the one you would want in an emergency room, but it sure beats nothing," Whitmire said. Texas state senator John Whitmire said prisoners are expected to make 25,000 facemasks by next week.

Source: CNN March 22, 2020 19:30 UTC