Hospital requests more face masks for at-risk population in community
Face mask donations welcome at several locations ... Pictured is some of the handmade masks that a have been sewn and donated to Veterans Memorial Hospital by many talented individuals in the community. These masks are very effective in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. The hospital asks that those who have been making these masks continue to do so for the hospital. They also ask that anyone who wants to begin making masks, donate them to one of the city locations listed in the accompanying article to be given to the elderly and immune-compromised to use every time they must head out to the grocery store. Submitted photo.
Veterans Memorial Hospital continues to be appreciative of the outpouring of community support and interest in making and donating face masks for patients and staff during the COVID-19 challenge. The Hospital is encouraging those that have been sewing for the hospital to please continue to do so.
The hospital staff remains concerned and committed to the community and has devised a plan whereby the continued donations of face masks can be used to keep the elderly and immune-compromised public safe also.
The hospital has asked the Waukon Economic Development Corporation, Lansing City Clerk’s Office, Postville City clerk’s Office and Monona Chamber of Commerce to help coordinate the project of supplying additional homemade masks to some of the grocery stores that remain open in their communities. Then these masks will be handed out to each qualifying customer to have, to keep laundering and wearing anytime they have to enter public places.
“We want to do everything we can to keep our community healthy so we came up with this plan to try to get a mask to our citizens at highest risk,” states Machelle Bulman, Director of Nursing at Veterans Memorial Hospital. “We are so appreciative of all the talented sewers who have reached out to us at the hospital and continue to supply us with our much needed masks. Now we are hoping others will volunteer to sew masks for our elderly in the grocery stores.”
The masks are reusable and the shopper should keep and launder the mask for reuse on each shopping visit. Shoppers are advised and reminded that it is wise for only one family member to be doing the essential shopping, not the whole family.
“The very best thing we can do to stop the spread is for everyone to stay home,” adds Bulman, “but we know that is not always possible when you need groceries, so this is the next best thing. We want everyone to wear their masks wherever they have to go in the community, launder after use, and wash their hands often! And please limit your trips to the store to once a week at the most.”
To begin this effort of keeping the community healthy, Veterans Memorial Hospital and these city entities ask that more members of the community begin making masks. Many patterns and videos are available on-line as resources.
Masks can be dropped off at the following locations:
· Waukon Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development Office (place in tote at front door between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. M-F)
· Lansing City Office (place in tote at front door between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. M-F)
· Postville City Office (Place in tote in front of police station door anytime)
· Monona Chamber of Commerce (place in drop off slot in front door anytime)
Please put any homemade masks in a bag and leave at one of these locations. Masks will then be distributed as needed to the stores.
Again, Veterans Memorial Hospital does request that those currently sewing masks for the hospital continue to do so, but for all those who also wish to start helping, please donate to one of these city locations. For more information, call Erin Berns, Public Relations, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
