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Community heroes emerge during pandemic

| April 8, 2020 1:00 AM

NEWPORT — Since the request for personal protective equipment (PPE) went out via social media and newspaper ads on March 20, Newport Hospital and Health Services has received overwhelming support from the community. Newport resident Jamie Ronan responded to a Facebook thread with, “Would anything like these help? I have a small 3D print farm and can make approximately 18 a day.” Ronan was referring to surgical face masks, an item NHHS hasn’t been able to restock since the COVID-19 outbreak increased global demand for PPE. Now Ronan is working on 50 reusable, washable standard surgical masks and 100 face shield frames that can be fitted with clear plastic cut with a standard 3-hole punch.

According to Buzz Price, NHHS Director of Materials Management and Information Technology, “This is such a great example of both community involvement and Pend Oreille County problem-solving ingenuity. Mr. Ronan saw our request for donated supplies and found a way to apply his specialized technical capability to addressing our PPE shortage in a totally new way. Before we had even spoken with Mr. Ronan he had on his own initiative downloaded freeware 3D print files and mocked up masks and face shields. Because his 3D masks and shield are washable and reusable, we will be much less dependent upon the traditional supply chain and still have what we need. It’s a blessing!”

Other community members have stepped up to help, too. Donations of N95 masks, disposable lab coats, dust mask, and nitrile gloves are just some of the items received from individual donors and community partners like the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Newport School District, and Pend Oreille Public Utility District. Community members are also donating whimsical handmade cloth masks that will soon outfit all of the District’s 300 employees.

Last week Columbia Bank (Priest River) sent Nomad coffees to the NHHS Laboratory staff, and this week a steady stream of coffees were delivered daily by Union Street Perk after a one-day “pay-it-forward” campaign for NHHS staff that resulted in 190 free drinks. Owen’s Grocery has also surprised different departments twice with sandwiches, wraps, and salads.

“The community response is absolutely overwhelming,” said Jenny Smith, public information officer, “everyone wants to help, and it’s creating a positive impact across our campus, especially during such as stressful and unprecedented time.”