Volunteers Make Masks for Health Care Workers

KIMT News 3's Jessica Bringe shows us the effort to protect doctors amid a medical mask shortage

Volunteers are donating their time and skills to make medical masks as healthcare workers face a severe shortage of protective gear against coronavirus.

Kimt new three's jessica bringe joins us live from olmsted county medical center with how we can get involved á jessica.

Xxx george and katie á olmsted medical center is collecting homeámade masks..

Volunteers are able to drop them off at the welcome desk here at the main entrance of omc's hosptial..

This comes after the cdc has given the go ahead to use cloth masks.

Xxx across the nation á healthcare workers on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus are facing a shortage of basic protective equipment.

"there are people who are literally wearing bandanas because they have nothing better to protect themselves from the respiratory droplets of patients that have covidá19.

And i think that's a national shame.

Olmsted county medical center says volunteers can help by making face masks out of fabric that's 100ápercent cotton or hosptial sterilized wrap..

The masks need to be nine inches by six inches with a seven inch elastic band.

Earlier today mayo clinic said the effort is a positive one..however it remains to be seen how effective they'll be.

Whether they're going to be safe and effective yet we'll be finding out because chances are we're going to running out of the regular masks and need to turn to these.

They're certainly better than nothing.

Those who have been helping make masks include omc employees, church and school groups.

But of course, anyone is welcome to help.

Live in rochester á jessica bringe á kimt news 3./// thank you jessica.

In mason city á mercyone north iowa medical center is thanking the community for the donated handmade medical masks its received.

They're now asking for donations of new... still in the packaging... factoryámade personal protective equipment including ná95 masks... gowns... or face shields.///