MCF COVID-19 Community Plan: Not All Heroes Wear Masks, Sometimes They Make Them
Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash.com
Washington County, OH –With medical supplies running low, the Marietta/Belpre City Health Department has been granted funds from Marietta Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund to make and distribute 1,000 homemade protective masks to local healthcare workers, first responders and meal-delivery drivers.
“As the Nursing Director of the Marietta/Belpre Health Department, I am humbled and grateful for the generous support of Marietta Community Foundation and Sisters Health Foundation,” said Beth Casto. “At a time like this, it really does take a village to meet the challenges we are facing in healthcare.”
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that the public wear face masks when they enter areas of significant community-based transmission. Taking these proactive precautions, the City Health Department is attempting to minimize risk for those who serve us daily.
“As men and women service this community during this crisis they can be put in situations where there is an increased risk of infection,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of the Foundation. “The donated funds are going to help our City Health Department protect our workers and their families.”
Monetary donations can be directed to the City Health Department through the Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund and donations of materials can be dropped off by appointment, by calling 740-373-0611.
“Having enough personal protective equipment and recommended cloth masks to make sure our healthcare workers and residents are appropriately safeguarded during this pandemic response is one of my highest priorities,” said Casto. “If we can reduce the infection rate, even by one percent, that is a life saved.”
In addition to supplies, the department is also looking for volunteers to help contact patients who have been exposed to the virus. This is a method of “contact tracing and monitoring” that may significantly decrease the number of people potentially exposed to the virus.
Casto said, “Volunteers that participate and assist our public health nurses with contact tracing and monitoring are significantly contributing to the health and safety of our community by actively preventing the spread of disease. Their efforts go above and beyond providing a public service by providing assistance with patient navigation, education, contact tracing and monitoring that will directly combat and mitigate COVID-19.”
For citizens interested in creating a custom face mask of their own, the CDC has posted a step-by-step tutorial on their website. Also available are a few alternative methods for those who do not know how to sew or have access to sewing equipment.
The grant to the City Health Department was a collaborative grant between Marietta Community Foundation and Sisters Health Foundation.
Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives, if you want to donate to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund or volunteer with a local nonprofit in need, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.
