Windsor, Essex County repeat urgent request for medical supplies donations
People across Essex County have flooded emergency response agencies with offers of everything from quilted homemade masks to donations for new ventilators, but it’s still not enough.
Emergency officials renewed the call on Friday for donations of medical supplies needed to help combat the spread of COVID-19, care for those infected and to protect health workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
“We’re overwhelmed by peoples’ generosity,” said Windsor Regional Hospital spokeswoman Gisele Seguin.
People are calling with everything from, ‘I have an extra box of N95 masks, because I had some construction done on my house,’ to businesses that have a big supply, to quilters that are willing to make handmade masks.
“And everything in between. So it is really overwhelming and really kind that people are this generous at this time.”
The city and county repeated a call on Friday urging anyone who has supplies to donate them.
Dental offices, hair salons and even companies in the manufacturing sector, where things like medical gloves and masks are used, have already stepped up to donate.
The University of Windsor and St. Clair College have donated medical supplies, as have private citizens. But the need is still outpacing supply, so emergency officials are again asking businesses to assess their inventory of supplies and consider a donation.
Seguin said the hospital is accepting donations, but it is also supporting the city and county collection drive. Regardless of where the supplies are donated, she said, they will go where they’re needed.
“It’s all going to be a co-ordinated effort,” said Seguin.
“So we’re quite happy if people are giving to the city or if they’re coming to us or one of the other hospitals. It’s all good.”
The donations would be put to immediate use by hospitals, paramedics, firefighters, police, correctional services and long-term care homes. Needed supplies include nitrile gloves, battery-operated infrared medical thermometers, disposable impermeable gowns, general surgical masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, sanitizer wipes and safety goggles.
Emergency workers also need respirators, Honeywell 5500 Series and NIOSG P100 filter cartridges and N95 masks with the model numbers 3M18710, 3M9210 or 3Mvflex. Officials also want to hear from anyone with other models of N95 masks to assess whether they can be used.
“We still have very big equipment needs,” said Seguin. “We were already in the process of raising money for critical care, believe it or not, for ventilators. We have had some people come forward willing to purchase those or contribute towards them.”
At this stage, Seguin said, any kind of medical supplies offered are welcome. The hospital is even sending patterns out to people who want to make masks.
“Right now, we don’t know what the next couple weeks and months are going to hold, so we’re basically accepting everything,” said Seguin. “Everything will have a use. Like even the handmade masks, there’s a use for them in the hospital.”
People have been dropping off items at area hospitals. But the city is hosting a donation event Saturday at the WFCU Centre at 8787 Mchugh St. It runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Donors are asked to pull up to the Community Rink doors off the main parking lot where staff will direct them after a short screening process. If you prefer items being picked up, call 311 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday to arrange pick up.