National shortages has made protecting patients and staff with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In addition, our costs for PPE have skyrocketed. There are two things you can do:

1. Join the hundreds of Whidbey Islanders who have sewed thousands of wonderful masks. Guidance is on the MaskMaker’s Page.
2. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the hospital’s finances. Suspending services has drastically reduced insurance reimbursements and coronavirus-related expenses have risen sharply. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the WhidbeyHealth Foundation. Your donation helps buy supplies and equipment to help care for patients and protect providers and staff.

Help crush that curve! Containing the spread of coronavirus requires a community effort. Abiding by social distancing and staying home has a huge impact.

Protect yourself!

• Wash your hands often, using soap and water and for 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if soap and water are unavailable
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face cover when around others.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces daily or more often, using a household disinfectant.

Dear Mask Makers

The COVID-19 has caused disruptions in the supply chain as it pertains to critical items used in taking care of our patients and protecting our staff. With safety being our top priority patients over the coming weeks, we are asking for the community’s help. If you have critical PPE supplies tucked away that could be used for healthcare, we will gladly take them.

As you know, we're also looking for folks who can sew masks that can be used in low-risk areas and as a second, removable shield to use on the commercial N95 masks. Below is a list of items we need and drop-off information.As of April 29, we have received more than 2,800 hand-made cotton masks. Thank you!

NOTICE: Please note that we are unable to supply or distribute materials for the fabrication of handmade masks. There are supplies available at the Ken's Korner donation box location listed below. If you need materials to make masks, for the hospital or otherwise, please seek them out there.

Each mask must be laundered after each use, so a back-up supply is necessary. The CDC has recommended that everyone wear a mask when in essential business areas. WhidbeyHealth is supplying these cotton masks to every patient on discharge from the hospital.This serves to keep our community safe and healthy and to prevent the depletion of our medical-grade, mask supplies. Again, thank you for your help!

MASK SAMPLES

• The MAN size masks seem to be working fine. (Large man size N95 cover with pocket).
• Mask Makers Information Sheet.
• N95 Cover Mask Pattern
• http://www.eymm.com/masks/

We can still utilize all the masks coming in, with no waste. Pictured below are one of our nurses' adaption of the pattern for 9x9 with an extra ½ added to the bottom which she tested to assure coverage of N95s. For all South Whidbey Mask Makers,Shawn Fowler has graciously set up a donation box at Ken's Korner near her place of business:

• Ken's Korner is at 11042 WA-525, Clinton
• Drop off outside at the east exterior entrance (double glass doors) in the marked donation box.
• Leave masks in the box; knock on the doors so that I hear you and come to the door. My studio is just inside this exterior entrance.
• The box will only be out if I'm there; I can commit to M-F, 12-4 p.m.

Note from Shawn:

Please do not go to the hospital to pick up fabric. Come to Ken's Korner in Clinton. I'm asking for verbal confirmation that you are sewing for our volunteer group (not selling masks).

Mask makers can specify where they'd like their masks to go to, including the hospital of course. I can take 100% quilters cotton, elastic of all sizes, polyester/all purpose thread, and possibly other sewing supplies. We're also looking for people with 3-D printers and 1.75 newer filament, also laser cutters and sheets of acrylic. Donations accepted only M-F, 12-4 pm.

For all Mid-Island Mask Makers, Hollie Swanson of the Greenbank Wine Shop has offered to accept donations at her shop located at Greenbank Farm:

• Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For all Oak Harbor Mask Makers, Cathy Kind has offered to accept donations at her house:

• 1315 Monroe Landing Road -Oak Harbor
• Drop in banker box by her front door

Please remember to put your masks in a sack/box with your:

Name
Contact information
Date
Number and type of items in each package