Respirators, face masks and more: Health Department seeking protective equipment donations

FOR THE TOMAHAWK LEADER

LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Health Department is encouraging all outpatient surgical and procedural centers, ambulatory surgery centers, dental providers, veterinarians, schools, construction companies, nail/hair salons, and others to donate their unused PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) that is not immediately needed to assist healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, and first responders in need.

“Supplies are limited or low at some facilities in the county,” stated Shelley Hersil, Lincoln County Health Officer. “Protecting these workers is critical to preventing the further spread of COVID-19.”

PPE items requested for donation include:

• N95 respirators
• Earloop or tie masks
• Hand-sewn face masks
• Hand sanitizers
• Isolation gowns
• Face shields
• Safety glasses/goggles
• Forehead thermometers
• Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
• Other approved PPE supplies advised by the CDC

Donations of hand-sewn face masks are also requested to alleviate the national shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be distributed to needed facilities to help provide a protective barrier for patients, so that medical-grade N95 masks may be conserved for health care providers.

The Lincoln County Health Department will be accepting donations until April 3. Donations will be distributed to where they are needed in our county. To make arrangements for a donation, call Karen Krueger, Public Health Nurse at the Lincoln County Health Department at 715- 539-1369 for a specific time and appointment. Please do not drop them off at the department.

For more information, visit www.co.lincoln.wi.us/covid19 or find the Health Department on Facebook.