Hoedspruit Helping Health Workers

04/05/2020

Last week all laundry and kitchen staff were trained at Tintswalo hospital with correct procedure around COVID-19.

A goodie bag with two masks and information on how to care for masks was also distributed.

Thanks again to all who have been committed to making masks. For those that want to and can contribute, this page has all the information on patterns and how to instructions.

23/04/2020

The masks are still rolling in. We received another 143 this week. A shout out to Hoedspruit Rotary and Nourish and all the anonymous sewers. Each mask is much appreciated.

If you would like to contribute, there are patterns on the page here, and drop off boxes at PicknPay and Spar Hoedspruit.

10/04/2020

A really easy sewing pattern from Sue Godding from Godding and Godding for masks. Doctors at Tintswalo are very happy with this mask.

1) First we cut the material 39cm x 21cm. Fold in half and sew the top seam along the 21cm edge.

2) Then fold 2 pleats into the double material

3) Cut 4 threads 40cm and pin onto the 4 corners

4) Sew and fold edges over to get final result.

10/04/2020

The usage of any type of mask should be accompanied by strictly adhering to safe use guidelines. Wash your hands before applying and after removing a mask, never touch the cloth part, never fiddle with it whilst wearing, refrain from touching your face. Discard disposable masks. Wash cloth masks with warm soapy water and iron when dry.

It is very important that residents use a cloth mask properly. If they do not, it might result in them putting themselves at risk of spreading Covid-19. The simple guidelines to use are:

1. Only use a mask that has been cleaned & ironed
2. Place the mask with the correct side facing your nose and mouth and covering both well
3. Tie the strings behind your head, or if you are using elastic bands, make sure these are tight
4. Make sure it fits well. Move it around to get the best fit. Never touch the cloth part.
5. Once you have put on the mask, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE again until you take it off
6. When you take it off, undo the ties, and carefully fold the mask inside out, hold it by the strings/elastic and place the mask in a container preserved for washing the cloth mask.
7. Wash hands thoroughly and dry before doing anything else

There has been much debate globally about whether it is recommended to make use of a facemask during the Covid-19 pandemic. A policy guideline developed by the Dept of Health for

09/04/2020

A cloth mask, if appropriately used, and cleaned, can offer the following protection for residents:

- The mask will reduce the transmission of droplets from the source (any person coughing or sneezing)
- It will reduce inhaling a large number of droplets from others
- Will reduce exposure in overcrowded areas such as taxis, shops of government buildings
- Will create awareness around Covid-19
- Inexpensive and can be produced in large under clear specifications

There has been much debate globally about whether it is recommended to make use of a facemask during the Covid-19 pandemic. A policy guideline developed by the Dept of Health for

08/04/2020

Our collection points for the masks are set up. One at PicknPay and one at Spar. Each location has two bins, one for completed masks and one for uncompleted masks or extra material.

Thank you all for contributing masks, and do pass on the message. The more clinics we can support the better and safer for all.

08/04/2020

Cotton/homemade masks can be used by non-essential medical staff, such as maintenance, cleaners and drivers. The more cotton masks we have, the more medical masks are available for medical staff.

"At the outset it is important to distinguish between medical masks, or N95 respirators, and cloth masks (either home-made or procured).

One of the [...] top priorities is to ensure that our front-line healthcare workers, who are caring for those with Covid-19, have the required N95 respirators and/or medical masks so that they are protected when undertaking their duties and helping us save lives.

There is a global shortage of these masks so we please urge all residents to not obtain or use these, so that we can ensure enough supply to the frontline healthcare workers in our hospitals and clinics."

There has been much debate globally about whether it is recommended to make use of a facemask during the Covid-19 pandemic. A policy guideline developed by the Dept of Health for

07/04/2020

MASK SEWING PATTERN.
If you have sewing capacity, here is the cotton mask pattern to follow to create these masks. If you are unable to complete the entire mask due to missing materials, we would also be happy for you drop the incomplete masks, and someone else would be able to complete them.

Currently, Pick and Pay and Spar are the drop off points, making it easy to do while grocery shopping during travel restrictions.

07/04/2020

The Tintswalo Hospital COVID-19 response team, together with various local organisation are calling on the Hoedspruit community to assist in the making of cotton masks for non-clinical health workers.

There is currently a global shortage of masks and many hospitals and clinics may well run out of masks as the number of infections increase. It is therefore very important that the doctors, nurses and therapists dealing directly with these patients use the correct masks.

All other non-clinical hospital and clinic staff such as security guards, cleaners and maintenance staff could use homemade cotton masks at work as well as when traveling to and from work on taxis.

This page will share the pattern, materials needed and instructions. Soon a video on how to make the mask will be posted.

PnP and SPAR have kindly agreed to be drop off points. If you have material at home and cannot make the masks, please consider donating it and dropping it off at a drop site.

This site will include instructions on how to safely put on and take off the mask, as well as how to wash and care for it.

We encourage everyone to use a homemade mask in public . I protect you – you protect me. If you have any commercially produced masks at home please consider donating them to Tintswalo Hospital or a clinic.

06/04/2020

Which masks to wear? The public do not need to wear bought masks. You could donate your bought masks to a clinic or hospital and rather make a cotton mask when leaving the house

06/04/2020

A very good guide about masks for public use, including how often to wash it

There has been much debate globally about whether it is recommended to make use of a facemask during the Covid-19 pandemic. A policy guideline developed by the Dept of Health for