As coronavirus spreads through the U.S., one local hospital is seeking help from the community.
Hamilton Memorial Hospital is asking volunteers to sew masks that can be used by patients and staff. There is currently a national shortage of personal protective equipment, or PPE, including face masks.
Homemade masks aren’t as protective as N95 masks usually worn by health care workers, but they still have uses. Marketing manager Bethany Reyling says the hospital hasn’t run out of PPE yet, but is using donations to help extend their supply.
“So that way, when or if we get to the point where we are absolutely in need, we have [the sewn masks],” Reyling said. “And we are currently using those to cover over some of the in 95 masks that we have, so that we can conserve those as well.”
PPE is running out quickly because the masks aren’t just worn by staff — patients with respiratory illness are given masks when they arrive at the hospital as well.
“But we're just flying through all kinds of masks, not even just N95s, just regular face masks that we want everyone just having any respiratory symptoms coming into the building to put on,” Reyling said.
Anyone who wants to sew masks can find instructions on the hospital’s websiteand should call first to arrange a drop-off time.
