Medical workers need masks to fight coronavirus. Whatcom groups start to sew
Medical offices and hospitals are seeking the public’s help with a worldwide shortage of protective equipment such as gloves, gowns and masks to keep doctors, nurses, firefighters and others safe while they treat patients for the new coronavirus.
And some Whatcom County residents are joining a nationwide effort to sew medical and surgical masks, including the Riveters Collective and Ragfinery.
“Family Care Network needs personal protective equipment,” the medical clinic wrote at its website. “We are seeking donated supplies from medical/dental facilities that are closed, school labs, etc.”
Requested supplies include lab coats or gowns, face masks, face shields, goggles, non-latex nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), and disinfecting wipes.
Donations can be dropped off at 709 W. Orchard Drive, Suite 4. Call 360-318-8800, ext. 1209, to make an appointment.
“Thank you so much for any help you can provide!” the clinic wrote.
Donations for local health-care and emergency-services workers can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at the Grabow Therapy and Wellness Center, located on the St. Joseph hospital campus at 3217 Squalicum Parkway.
Donors should put items in the trunk or back hatch of their car and remain inside. A PeaceHealth worker will remove the items.
Those with more than 100 of any item should go to a drop-off location for the Whatcom County Unified Command Center, 4233 Guide Meridian, Suite 101. Contact WUC_Donations@co.whatcom.wa.us with any questions.
Providence hospitals is asking people around the country to sew protective masks, and members of the Bellingham civic-action group Riveters Collective have taken up the cause.
“Ooh I’m in,” wrote Elizabeth Mulligan on the Riveters’ Facebook page. “Pick-up in Renton for now, but more locations will be posted. Anyone going to Renton to pick up materials?”
Towhee Wean, another Riveters member, also offered to help.
“I have three or four willing friends with machines,” Wean wrote. “I cannot believe this is a thing.”
Riveters members knitted a decorative collar for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last year, and the jurist wore it during a high court session.
“Anyone with a willing heart and the ability to sew can help us protect our caregivers by sewing masks they can wear on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19,” Providence wrote at its website. “We are starting with Western Washington, which is one of the hardest-hit areas in the nation. The effort will grow from there over the coming days and weeks so eventually everyone can participate.”
To that end, recycled-textile business Ragfinery has joined with medical professionals to help people make masks, according to its Facebook page.
“Ragfinery has been in touch with Unity Care staff as well as with other parties coordinating with St. Joseph’s to sew face masks for health-care workers in our community. Here’s how you can help,” Ragfinery posted on Facebook.
Its Facebook post includes a pattern for making a mask from the website Deaconess.
On Tuesday, PeaceHealth asked those sewing masks to use this video and accompanying instructions but that a different design template was OK too.
Donors are asked to shrink the fabric before sewing the mask.
PeaceHealth said it was unable Tuesday to provide fabric or kits.
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 11:41 AM.
