Got Masks? Here’s How You Can Help During the Coronavirus Crisis
If you have N95 masks and other protective items needed by medical professionals, you can help by donating your extras
When contractor and carpenter Chris Priore of Bay State Leisure Homes on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, heard about a shortage of N95 respirators and other protective gear for medical workers at the island’s hospital, he thought of his late father, who had maintained a large supply of N95 respirator masks during his battle with leukemia.
“I’d saved his N95 masks and realized I could help,” Priore says. “Next I remembered I also had a stockpile of them in my cabinet shop, and then I realized just about every tradesperson I knew on the island would too.” Within 24 hours, Priore had rounded up more than 500 N95 respirators and delivered them to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
N95 respirators, which block airborne particles and liquid from contaminating the face, are of critical importance to health care professionals treating COVID-19 patients, and they are in short supply around the country. Many builders and other tradespeople use these same tight-fitting masks to protect their lungs from harmful dusts and vapors. If you’re wondering what you can do to help during the COVID-19 crisis, consider donating your extras. Here’s how to do it.
“I’d saved his N95 masks and realized I could help,” Priore says. “Next I remembered I also had a stockpile of them in my cabinet shop, and then I realized just about every tradesperson I knew on the island would too.” Within 24 hours, Priore had rounded up more than 500 N95 respirators and delivered them to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
N95 respirators, which block airborne particles and liquid from contaminating the face, are of critical importance to health care professionals treating COVID-19 patients, and they are in short supply around the country. Many builders and other tradespeople use these same tight-fitting masks to protect their lungs from harmful dusts and vapors. If you’re wondering what you can do to help during the COVID-19 crisis, consider donating your extras. Here’s how to do it.
How, What and Where to Donate
In addition to N95 respirator masks, other items health care workers need immediately include refillable N95 and N100 cartridges, safety goggles, painting respirators (seen here), tissues, hand sanitizer, disposable booties and disinfecting wipes.
For those with extra unused masks to donate, there are several online sources listing local donation centers, including:
In addition to N95 respirator masks, other items health care workers need immediately include refillable N95 and N100 cartridges, safety goggles, painting respirators (seen here), tissues, hand sanitizer, disposable booties and disinfecting wipes.
For those with extra unused masks to donate, there are several online sources listing local donation centers, including:
- #GetUsPPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Mask Match
- PPE Donation Project Clearinghouse
Photo by WikiCommons user Banej
You can also check your local and state public heath offices and hospital websites to see if they have collection center information, or you can call them.
“Hospitals would love to get donations of N95 masks and eye protection. Most hospitals have a command center at this point, and if you call the main number you should be able to reach them and ask about donations,” says Dr. Andrew Wittenberg, chairman of Emergency Medicine at Long Beach Medical Center in Southern California.
It can also be as simple as contacting health care professionals you know personally. Many are more than willing to pick up any masks you have and take them to the hospital.
You can also check your local and state public heath offices and hospital websites to see if they have collection center information, or you can call them.
“Hospitals would love to get donations of N95 masks and eye protection. Most hospitals have a command center at this point, and if you call the main number you should be able to reach them and ask about donations,” says Dr. Andrew Wittenberg, chairman of Emergency Medicine at Long Beach Medical Center in Southern California.
It can also be as simple as contacting health care professionals you know personally. Many are more than willing to pick up any masks you have and take them to the hospital.
How One Contractor Made a Big Difference
Priore, the Martha’s Vineyard contractor, first put out a call for donations on a local Facebook group’s page, but he ultimately found that the most effective way to round up N95 respirators was on the phone.
“I opened up my Rolodex, started with the A’s and called all of my contacts. Painters, floor sanders, carpenters, cabinetmakers, insulation installers, landscapers, lead removal specialists, drywall installers, stone fabricators — all of these people have a supply of masks and can switch to reusable respirators when they need protection,” he says.
Practicing safe social distancing, he had people leave the donated masks outside. He drove all around the island and picked them up while carefully disinfecting. Within 24 hours he had rounded up more than 500 N95 masks and donated them to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. “My father would have been really happy about this,” he says.
The word spread quickly around the island and beyond. Houzz heard about it from islander Pam Coblyn, who shared the story in response to this Houzz Call.
Priore, the Martha’s Vineyard contractor, first put out a call for donations on a local Facebook group’s page, but he ultimately found that the most effective way to round up N95 respirators was on the phone.
“I opened up my Rolodex, started with the A’s and called all of my contacts. Painters, floor sanders, carpenters, cabinetmakers, insulation installers, landscapers, lead removal specialists, drywall installers, stone fabricators — all of these people have a supply of masks and can switch to reusable respirators when they need protection,” he says.
Practicing safe social distancing, he had people leave the donated masks outside. He drove all around the island and picked them up while carefully disinfecting. Within 24 hours he had rounded up more than 500 N95 masks and donated them to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. “My father would have been really happy about this,” he says.
The word spread quickly around the island and beyond. Houzz heard about it from islander Pam Coblyn, who shared the story in response to this Houzz Call.
Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Photo by Francisco Àvia_Hospital Clínic
Share: Have you found ways to donate masks or help in other ways during this crisis? Or has someone helped you? Please share your story in the Comments.
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Share: Have you found ways to donate masks or help in other ways during this crisis? Or has someone helped you? Please share your story in the Comments.
More on Houzz
8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Strengthen Your Business
How the Coronavirus Is Affecting Design and Remodeling Pros
Read more stories for home pros
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Though manufacturers are ramping up production of N95 masks, right now there are countless brave medical professionals on the front lines who have been using the same mask for a week or more, and others who don’t have any masks at all.
Vice President Mike Pence and the National Association of Home Builders have asked the construction industry to assist by donating unused N95 respirators and other personal protective equipment to hospitals. The NAHB has suggested alternative ways for builders to protect workers from respiratory hazards during the shortage.