Tidelands Health needs your help sewing new straps on unused N95 masks
As part of its ongoing response to the COVID-19 coronavirus threat, Tidelands Health is searching for community members who can sew. The health system has several thousand new, unused N95 respirators in its warehouse. While the N95 respirators are in new condition, the elastic straps have become brittle over time. Before the respirators are available to clinical staff, the straps need to be replaced. ONLY straps need to be replaced! Like health care organizations around the nation, Tidelands Health is facing a shortage of N95 respirators. If the straps on the respirators are replaced, the health system’s supply will be extended by several weeks. The Centers for Disease Control has provided guidance that it is acceptable to use older but never-used N95s. To volunteer for the sewing effort, please visit tidelandshealth.org, or call 1-866-TIDELANDS. Volunteers will be provided the necessary supplies and instructions to replace the respirators’ elastic straps.
