A Massachusetts National Guard truck is parked at the back entrance to Our Lady’s Haven on 4/8/20, for a delivery of hand sanitizer and spray, which was on back order from a shipment of PPE (personal protective equipment) last month, that included gowns, face masks and gloves. Part of the shipment on 4/8 also went to the town of Fairhaven. Photo courtesy of James Mahaney.
By Beth David, Editor
The Massachusetts National Guard came to the rescue last week, delivering much needed PPE (personal protective equipment) to the Town of Fairhaven Health Department and Our Lady’s Haven. The shipment of hand sanitizer and spray was on back order from a delivery last month that included masks, gloves and isolation gowns.
Fairhaven Health Agent Mary Freir-Kellogg, and OLH Administrator Jo-Ann Melcher, said they ordered the supplies through various channels, including the Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition. the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mass. Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
Certain items go to different agencies, said Ms. Melcher.
You spend quite a bit of time these days hunting down the PPE,” said Ms. Melcher. “But it’s worth it.”
She said she is not sure which stockpile it all came from but was thankful the first shipment got there.
“It helps to supplement our supplies,” she said, adding they were in good shape now. “It’s for everybody’s protection.”
But they are “burning through” the supplies.
She said all staff members are wearing masks. Direct care employees are using lots of gloves, masks, and sanitizer. And they are constantly cleaning and sanitizing.
Because Town Hall is closed to the public, members of the Massachusetts National Guard deliver hand sanitizer and spray to the home of Fairhaven Health Agent Mary Freire-Kellogg on 4/8/20, for disbursement to various town departments that need it. The items were on back order from a shipment of PPE (personal protective equipment) last month, that included gowns, face masks and gloves. Photo courtesy of James Mahaney.
“So we’re very thankful to them that they got the National Guard to come out,” she said. “You don’t get it right way, but you do get it, and that’s what counts.”
The facility has had no cases of COVID-19. No visitors have been allowed inside for about four weeks.
Ms. Freire-Kellogg said that she almost missed the last shipment because town hall is closed, with staggered shifts in each department and the doors locked. So the ship-ment went to her house, and she made sure it got to the departments that needed it. She also sent some to the town of Marion and the city of New Bedford.
The town’s supply is in “good shape,” she said. The fire department and the police department have their own supply lines, although she will share with them if they need it.
Ms. Freire-Kellogg said she is still waiting for thermometers and N95 masks.
“I asked for masks, they gave me shields,” she said.
She will continue to get shipments, she said, because the various departments are using the supplies.
“It’s important that they keep it up,” she said.
As of press time, Fairhaven had a total of 36 COVID-19 cases, with 11 active cases being followed by the public health nurse; and two COVID-19 related deaths.
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