Masks for heroes
Loving Care and More has had more than 100 N95 respirators and 70 hand-sewn masks like this one, donated to them so that they can continue to offer their services to their patients throughout Shoshone County. Courtesy photo
OSBURN — There is a quote from President John F. Kennedy that really encompasses the world we live in currently and it reads like this.
“In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics.”
This might never be more true than it is today and thankfully we have some folks who are really exemplifying that concept.
After learning that she couldn’t order N95 surgical masks, for patients and employees alike, Loving Care and More owner/operator Marcy Hayman turned to her community for help.
“I put out the plea on Facebook following two of our incident command meetings where we did an inventory review and found that we can’t even order the N95 respirators or surgical masks,” Hayman said. “So anything we could get our hands on would be better than nothing in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in our community. Then we were determined that our employees who provide custodial services need to be protected out in the community when they are shopping for clients, running errands and we really want them to be safe. So after failing to be able to order or find them anywhere, the plea went out.”
The response to that plea was pretty overwhelming.
Since her first request, she had received 110 N95 surgical masks and 70 hand sewn masks as of last March 27 with more on the way.
With Loving Care and More having a high number of at-risk patients (due largely to age), the need for these items was tantamount to them being able to provide the services that they do, particularly the sewn masks.
“If we didn’t have these masks, I feel the possible risk to caregivers would be so much higher when they are out and about,” Hayman said. “It also frees up the surgical masks and N95s we’ve been able to stockpile for the RN’s (registered nurses) and therapists who work in home health. So if a client presents with respiratory illness, we can treat it as if they are infected, therefore protecting all sides.”
Hayman would like to let other caregivers, who otherwise don’t have access to masks, know that they can contact her office and she’ll make sure they have access to some as long as they have them available.
Hayman is also thankful for the folks who have donated or sewn masks, including Michelle Jolene, Liz Menke, Carrie Simmons, Gail Holt, Ivey Jones, Amy Lynn and Cary Spoor (admittedly, she may have forgotten some).
For more information or to help in the sewing or donating department, please contact Hayman with Loving Care and More at 208-752-1019.