A union representing healthcare workers in Chatham-Kent is asking for donations of personal protective equipment to keep front line workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) Local 303 is asking the public to drop off extra personal protective equipment (PPE) they may have hanging around the house or business. Trish Douma, CLAC’s Chatham director, said local healthcare workers need your help, and protective equipment is very much needed right now before the COVID-19 peak hits.
“As we are all aware, there is a global shortage of PPE for healthcare workers. Now is the time to rally together and do our part to make our healthcare professionals as safe as possible while they continue to show up to work and take care of our communities” Douma said.
The union will be accepting unused medical masks, including procedural masks, masks with face shields, and N95 masks at its hall at 455 Keil Drive South in Chatham between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The CLAC said a plastic tote will be placed at the front door in order to maintain social distancing.
"We ask that you place your donation in a sealed bag and place it in the tote," the union said in a news release Monday morning.
The union will arrange a pickup for people who are not able to drop off items at the union hall. Email chatham@clac.ca to arrange a pick-up.
The CLAC said items will be collected and brought to Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) on a regular basis and will only be used when the current supply at the hospitals is used. The personal protective equipment will be donated to other local organizations if the CKHA does not need the donated PPE.
"We all need to work together to get through this uncertain time," the union added.
The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) reported on Saturday that dozens of nurses at St. Mary's General Hospital were exposed to the virus and called for expedited testing to ensure nurses and patients are safe. ONA said more than 50 nurses were exposed while caring for a patient at the emergency department.