As the ramifications of COVID-19 continue to intensify across Canada, front line health care workers are experiencing a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including respirators, masks, gloves and gowns.
Unlikely sources have been stepping up and offering their supplies to help with the crisis including local cannabis producer WeedMD.
Health Canada has requirements for all licenced cannabis producers to implement proper PPE in the forms of masks, scrubs and gloves, similar to what our health care workers use in hospitals.
Marianella Delabarrera a spokesperson for WeedMD says, with this knowledge the operations team suggested they migrate to alternative PPE masks, so they could donate the remaining equipment to those in need.
All three of WeedMD’s production sites including Aylmer, Strathroy and Bowmanville took stock out of their immediate supply of and collectively donated over 23,000 surgical masks and gloves.
” It’s the right thing to do, communities are coming together and supporting each other in times of need and we are very active in our communities.”
We can spare a square. Proud to confirm that together with @starseedCA we are donating over 23,000 face masks and gloves in varying sizes to #Ontario hospitals in need during this time. Donate here if you have medical supplies to share: https://t.co/6mS19oLkd0 pic.twitter.com/m1kxCcuOqT
— Entourage Health (@EntourageHealth) March 31, 2020
Following the protocol set in place by the Ontario Ministry of Health they submitted the equipment into a pool which the Ministry will draw from and disperse to those on back order or need it most.
Delabarrera says internally everyone is 100% supportive of the initiative, and their employees are very proud knowing these necessities are going back into their local hospitals.
“Anything that we can do to make it a little less burdensome, we should do it.”
WeedMD is continuing to find ways to offer their resources to help in the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have any spare medical supplies that you believe can be beneficial in these strenuous times please go here to find more information and donate.
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