North Hawaii Community Hospital seeks masks, other gear

Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea is participating in a statewide drive to collect personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care workers.

The hospital is asking the community for PPE donations to help supplement the hospital’s supply, should needs increase.

Items requested include medical-grade goggles, face shields, surgical/N95 masks and gowns/disposable protective suits. All items must be new and in original packaging.

In addition, interested community members with sewing skills are asked to sew face masks. Supplies of face masks at the hospital are adequate. The hand-sewn masks would only be used if supplies became completely depleted, but this is not anticipated.

Two types of hand-sewn masks are requested with video links for size/style/pattern specifications and instructions:

• 4-pleat (www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL9D6ZFtZHM);

• Cone style to cover N95 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdVO9emZhyQ).

If sewing masks, two different fabrics are requested so staff can quickly tell the outside from the inside of the mask.

People can drop off items at the hospital’s front entrance from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donation receipts are available.

For more information, call Julia Ramos at 881-4420 or email JRamos2@queens.org.