MINDEMOYA – The Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary has, along with Little Current Hospital Auxiliary and the Current Quilt and Stitchery Guild, stepped up when the call came from the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) for those interested to make masks to assist health care staff and families locally.
“On March 22, I was contacted by local doctor Maurianne Reade, who asked if I would initiative a project across Manitoulin Island to provide reusable masks for the community,” stated Judy Mackenzie, president of the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary, late last week. “This was in anticipation that there may be ongoing shortages of disposable masks which are not safe to reuse and some patients may be self-isolation in their home while other family members are trying to stay healthy.” She pointed out that by making the masks it will also conserve medical supplies at the hospitals for hospital staff.
Ms. Mackenzie said, “I used our local Facebook page and the Facebook page ‘What’s Doing on Manitoulin Island’ to get the word out. Fellow members of the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary and local quilters responded and this took off.” A total of 254 face masks were made by local persons that she picked up at the Manitoulin Central Family Health Team (MCFHT) parking lot in Mindemoya on Monday of this week.
“My understanding is that the masks will be put into the self-isolation kits headed being handed out by the hospitals (Mindemoya and Little Current) for patients at the testing centres,” continued Ms. Mackenzie. Central Manitoulin has also delivered some of them to seniors. And after receiving a request some of the masks are going to the Manitoulin Legal Aid Centre for employees serving clients in person.
Ms. Mackenzie said that Sharon Watson has provided fabric to her working group as well and she has been making deliveries of elastics.
Those wishing to make a donation or assist can contact judy-mackenzie@eastlink.ca by email. In Little Current, masks can be dropped off to admitting at the hospital or by calling Dawn Orr at 705-368-2608.
Patterns for the masks are available online at the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary Facebook page.
Ms. Mackenzie added if anyone is able to contribute fabric (cotton) or elastic (1.8 inch) it would be appreciated.
