UPDATE: Mayor's Message Helping our Healthcare Workers - a Covid-19 Act of Kindness #10 March 23, 2020

Mayor
Dear everyone,

As I’m sure you are all aware, there is a major shortage of masks for healthcare workers. Early on in the Covid-19 outbreak, many individuals bought large numbers of masks which contributed to this shortage. Members of our community who are healthcare professionals in need of supplies have raised this topic with me, as well as concerned citizens who want to know how to help. It turns out there are a number of things you can do to provide support, including participating in a wonderful initiative our community is spearheading on this topic. See below for more details:

To all members of the community:
Anyone with masks (surgical, construction, or the critical N95 respirators) is requested to donate extras to hospitals and other healthcare services (the general wisdom is to keep 1 to 2 per person in your household in case you get sick so as to minimize the risk of infecting others - but keep the regular masks as Health Care workers need any N95 masks they can get!).
  • If you have masks to donate, please contact masks@nyp.org or hohmaskproject@gmail.com  (note that the Hastings-on-Hudson Masks Project is also coordinating with our Village first responders).
To doctors or healthcare workers in need of masks:
The Hastings Sewing Studio and Hastings-on-Hudson Mask Project have teamed up to launch an effort to make fabric masks locally for approved healthcare agencies. These masks are not meant to protect against the novel Caronavirus but can be used to cover the N95 mask to prolong its use where supplies are limited. If you would like to be included in a list of agencies to receive masks as they are completed, please email hohmaskproject@gmail.com , with subject line MASK REQUEST / Name of Organization
 
To volunteers with sewing skills or if you have materials to spare (cotton fabric, 1/8 - 1/4" elastic):
If you are an experienced sewer and would like to join the Hastings Sewing Studio and HOH Mask Project's efforts to masks for healthcare workers, please email hohmaskproject@gmail.com, with subject line VOLUNTEER REQUEST / Your name
  • Bettina of Hastings Sewing Studio will be hosting a Q&A on Zoom again on Wednesday
Topic: Face Mask Q&A with Hastings Sewing Studio
Time: Mar 25, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/830482308

Meeting ID: 830 482 308  
 
To residents in need of masks:
Our neighbor, Laura Compagni-Sabella has generously offered her assistance. She has been sewing fabric face masks with vacuum bag inserts. While they are not the N95 masks that health care providers need, they have the potential to help if people who must visit a store or care for a sick relative. She has offered to make them for neighbors in need for free upon request. You may reach her at compagnisabella@optimum.net.
 
Thanks to Bettina D'Ascoli of Hastings Sewing Studio, Margie Lavender of Hastings-on-Hudson Masks Project, Laura Compagni-Sabella and all of you!!
 
Sincerely,
 
Nicola Armacost
Mayor