By Cecilia Nasmith
As COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift in Ontario, with Federal and provincial public health authorities now recommending cloth face coverings for all as an additional means of minimizing the spread of infection when physical distancing is not possible, local Ontario Health Team-Northumberland partners are calling on area volunteers to help them ensure their patients and clients have a ready supply.
At their weekly meeting May 28, the OHT-N partners approved a plan to collect, clean, package and distribute hand-made cloth masks to their patients and clients, as donations permit, with easy-to-use instructions on how to wear them and care for them properly.
Spokesperson Linda Davis – Northumberland Hills Hospital president and chief executive officer – said two observations motivated this move.
“First, many local residents told us at - and after – our recent COVID-19 virtual forum that they would like a mask to wear when they visit the grocery store or pharmacy, but they are having trouble finding one,” Davis said.
“Second, as OHT-N members prepare to ramp up their services, many - including the Northumberland Family Health Team, Community Health Centres of Northumberland and Rebound Child and Youth Services, to name a few – will be asking their patients and clients to wear a mask when they come to their appointment.
“By working together, we hope to preserve precious medical-grade personal protective equipment for those delivering direct patient care by helping to get cloth mask alternatives into the hands of our patients and clients. We also see an opportunity to increase education on how to safely ‘don and doff’ a face mask, as it may increase risk if used incorrectly.”
The OHT-N partners have a ready-made distribution network to help get more cloth masks in circulation among their Northumberland patients and clients quickly, with the intent that recipients keep and reuse them in the community and for future appointments. They are issuing a call for volunteers to help by sewing masks to certain specifications and dropping off donations of completed masks at one of two collection points (though if transportation is a challenge, donated masks may be mailed in as well).
Design – The US Centre for Disease Control has several recommended patterns and advice on preferred materials. Elastic is strongly recommended rather than ties for securing the masks, as ties have been found to be difficult for many wearers to put on and take off.
Dropping off masks – Put your finished masks in a plastic bag with your contact information (name, address, e-mail address and phone number), so an appropriate thank-you can be sent. Then drop them off in the hospital community of your choice. In Campbellford, this would be at Community Living Campbellford (65 Bridge St. E.), but please call in advance (905-653-1821 ext. 203) as hours are irregular. In Cobourg, that would be at the main entrance at NHH (1000 DePalma Dr.) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Daily. You can also mail them to the hospital (1000 DePalma Dr., Cobourg ON K9A 5W6), marked “Attention: Charity Meiklejohn.”
How to get one – Distribution will start as soon as supplies permit, starting with distribution through OHT-N primary-care partners and then, as soon as possible, eventually extending to all OHT-N partners.
Helping to build local access to cloth face masks as a means of minimizing the spread of COVID-19 is consistent with the objectives of the OHT-N to improve patient and care-giver experience, improve health outcomes, improve provider work-life experience and improve value to the community.
Davis extended the group's thanks to all those who put their talents to work for the good of their community.
“County residents have worked very effectively together with area health and social-care organizations to minimize the impact of COVID-19,” Davis said.
“The number of confirmed positive cases in our region remains very low, and we have a shared responsibility to sustain this. This mask campaign is a further step we can take together as partners to keep our community safe.”
