March 24, 2020 10:35 a.m.
There is a massive shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, like surgical masks, face shields, respirators, surgical gowns and gloves, and officials with the Douglas Public Health Network are trying to help.
DPHN has been reaching out to local medical professionals such as dentists and veterinarians, while County Commissioners and the Building Department are talking to businesses like contractors and electricians offering to purchase any PPE’s they might have.
Mercy Foundation is serving as the point of contact for PPE donations. Community donations need to be new and unopened. The Mercy Foundation can be reached by calling 677-4818.
Umpqua Sewing Warriors formed by Oregon Serigraphics has set up a grass roots mask making program specifically for distribution by DPHN. Volunteer sewing warriors are need to help with the cause. Mask sewing kits can be picked up on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the entrance of Serigraphics, at 333 Southeast Jackson in downtown Roseburg. Kits contain 25 or so double layer fabric panels, elastic cord and instructions. Volunteers sew the masks and return them to Serigraphics the following Friday for sterilization and pickup by DPHN. Last Saturday they sent out 1,500 mask sewing kits to be sewn by local volunteers.
Although guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Oregon Health Authority states they do not recommend that people who are not sick wear the masks, they will be helpful for those who are sick or are being treated for COVID-19. The group is hoping to donate 1,000 masks per week. For more information call 672-6296 of check out the Umpqua Sewing Warriors Facebook page.