LANSING (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that 4 million masks will be distributed to Michigan residents — free of charge — to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The face coverings will go to low-income residents, seniors, schools and homeless shelters through a partnership of the state, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Ford Motor Co.

“This partnership is going to save lives,” the governor said at a news conference. She has required that masks be worn in enclosed public spaces and, when consistent distancing is not possible, outdoor public areas.

FEMA is supplying 2.5 million of the masks, including 1.5 million that the state has already sent to social service agencies. Ford is paying for 1.5 million masks, which — combined with an additional 1 million from FEMA — will go to low-income schools, the city of Detroit, health clinics for the poor, some virus testing sites and other places.