a podcast from the Virginia Rural Health Association on masks and gloves
MASK MAKER MASK FINDER
Donate your PPE to GMEC and VRHA!
Has your business been temporarily closed by COVID 19? GMEC and VRHA will buy your PPE so long as it’s not price gouged. We can also give donation receipts, and organize mailing or pick-up.
NBC News: Coronavirus strains rural hospitals to ‘the absolute limit’
Although coronavirus has yet to make the same harsh impact on rural communities as in metropolitan areas around the United States, their financial reality may drastically reduce their best efforts when preparing for the worst.
Most facilities have already to turned to telehealth in order to minimize that one-on-one contact. However, as Beth O’Connor, director of the Virginia Rural Health Association, states, “Many of our rural families, and even many of our rural hospitals and clinics, don’t have the bandwidth that they need to be able to participate in telehealth service. So when you have something like this pandemic when you would prefer to see someone virtually, it’s just not possible.”
Click HERE to read.
How to Make a Face Mask: Protection Against COVID-19
Join others in learning how to sew face masks for your community members that desperately need them! Click HERE to view easy-to-follow instructions and a video made by Deaconess Hospital staff.
PLEASE SEND MASKS!
CHECK YOUR BARNS! (and garages, workrooms, etc.) Have you got boxes of gloves (latex, plastic, or vinyl), N95 face masks? Those are badly needed and GMEC can make sure they get redistributed. Have you got surgical masks, face shields, plastic dust masks, safety goggles? Those are needed as well.
If you are hand-sewing masks, we also have locations that need those. They are not front-line COVID but are VERY useful for other parts of care. If you would like to sew masks, we can send you patterns.
THANKS and PLEASE check your basements et al. We’ve sent several N95s to small clinics because of kind people willing to share what they have. EVERY donation will help keep our rural communities safe.
Contact director@swvagmec.com so we can tell you where to mail, or collect. Thanks!
VDH: COVID-19 Cases in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health is alerting the public of new coronavirus cases on a daily basis. Check the VDH website for prevention tips and the latest updates.
World Health Organization: Q & A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19)
Unfortunately, we will be reading more and more news reports about the escalating coronavirus cases in the United States. However, we can stay alert and informed on the spread. The World Health Organization has released their information on the matter and further guidance on how to avoid infection.
AmeriCorps VISTA: Service Spotlight
This week, AmeriCorps wishes to recognize the efforts of their VISTA members and the work being done throughout the communities they serve. As part of our introduction to Wise County, Virginia – GMEC along with our VISTA member – led the incoming family medicine residents on an exercise to help them better understand their patient population. Check out what one of the residents had to say about their experience…
Guest View: Don’t forget about medical cannabis patients in rural Virginia
The Virginia Medical Cannabis Coalition has made 2020 their year to advocate for barrier reduction when it comes to creating patient access to cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil. A statement from the Pharmacist in Charge and Founder/Chief Pharmacy Office of Dharma Pharmaceuticals details their plans to bring regulated, medical-grade cannabis to Health Service Area 3. This push is also looking to expand prescribing capabilities of current practitioners – following federal regulations for Schedule II through V controlled substances via telemedicine.
Click HERE to read.
