Girl Scouts throughout Washington state are volunteering to sew masks for staff working at Department of Social and Health Services 24/7 facilities.
While surgical masks and N95 respirator masks are issued by facilities for specific COVID-19 care scenarios, the general shortage of personal protective equipment prompted the Department of Health to recommend the use of cloth masks as well to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help people who may be asymptomatic yet contagious avoid spreading the virus to others.
Although staff may bring their own cloth masks to work, DSHS is also working with the Girl Scouts and other volunteers to provide cloth masks for staff use.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Girl Scouts and all of our community volunteers for helping to protect our staff and patients,” said Cathey Anderson, the Behavioral Health Administration’s director of hospital operations and a former Girl Scout herself. “We’d like to partner with their efforts, so we’re also asking that any staff who would like to help donate mask-making materials to our Combined Fund Drive campaign.”
DSHS is asking staff who would like to participate to donate what they can from the following list:
- Cotton fabric (ensure that fabric is no-stretch or minimal stretch, and avoid polyester/less breathable fabrics)
- Recycled fabric such as sheets or cotton shirts (please be sure it is clean and in good shape)
- Elastic
- Bias tape
- Shoelaces
- Twill tape
- Large bandeau elastic headbands
- Thread
- Pipe cleaners
Donations will be accepted by each facility’s CFD liaison. Once the cloth masks are donated to DSHS, they will be distributed to 24/7 facilities for staff to use.
(Story by Suzie Ovel)