SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Local organizations are reaching out to the greater Spokane community in hopes of filling their need for homemade face masks amid a nationwide shortage of protective gear.
The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many, if not almost all, Americans wear face coverings when leaving home, in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draft of the guidance would make the covering recommendation apply to nearly all Americans, all over the country, according to a federal official who has seen the draft but was not authorized to discuss it.
Jo-Ann Fabrics is giving away free, pre-cut mask kits to donate to local hospitals and those in need. Each adult or child-sized kit includes five sets of cotton fabric, thread, and elastic strings.
A how-to guide for making masks can be found here.
Here is where you can donate homemade masks in the Spokane area.
Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels
Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels is in need of 1,300 homemade face masks, as the CDC is revising guidelines for the program.
They are also in need of supplies to make masks, including fabric, elastic or bias tape.
"While non-surgical masks don't really help protect from the virus, they do help wearers stop touching their eyes, nose and mouth," Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels wrote on Facebook.
Anyone who is interested can email info@gscmealsonwheels.com to let them know they would like to help.
Masks can also be dropped off at their office at 12101 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley behind the Chase Bank building.
Spokane County donation site
Spokane County opened a donation site last week where people can donate during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The masks are mostly provided to those who are ill to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets, which is the primary transmission source for COVID-19, according to Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz.
The incident management team also is accepting unopened boxes of PPE, including gowns, hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, eye protection, paper towels, disinfectants and toilet paper.
People can donate handmade masks and other PPE to the Northeast corner of the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. All items must be new and unused. Homemade masks will be decontaminated.
Cheney Care Center
Keith Fauerso, the executive director of Cheney Care Center, said the nursing facility is in “great need” of homemade face masks.
They can be brought to 2219 N. 6th St. in Cheney. Those who would like to donate masks should call 509-235-6196 and staff will come to the door to receive them.
MultiCare
While Multicare is not seeking donations of homemade masks, they are looking for unopened PPE supplies – including masks, gloves and gowns.
These can be taken to the loading dock at each of MultiCare’s local hospitals or handed to our security staff on Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The items will be checked for quality before use.
Does your organization need homemade masks? Email us at newstips@krem.com to be included in this list.
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