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COVID-19: An urgent call to the Nelson community for N95 masks

Kootenay Emergency Response Physician Association (KERPA) is looking for donations
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Dr. Nicholas Sparrow, the president of KERPA, shown here in 2017, is an emergency room doctor at Kootenay Lake Hospital, and volunteers his time assisting emergency services. File photo.

Nicholas Sparrow of Kootenay Emergency Response Physician Association is making an urgent call to the community for the donation of N95 surgical masks.

“The availability of personal protective equipment for our emergency services and health care workers is finite,” says Sparrow. “We are all aware of the national if not the world-wide shortages.”

KERPA is reaching out to dentists, contractors, building suppliers and community members to donate masks.

“We want to access any inventories set aside for a rainy day,” a KERPA spokesperson said. “Now is our rainy day.”

Anyone able to help is urged to e-mail KERPA at admin@kerpa.org.

Drop-off date and locations are as follows:

• Friday: 916 Gilker St., 12 to 1 p.m.

Please look for signage at drop off sites, and for everyone’s health and well being practise social distancing as you bring in your supplies. Wear a mask if needed.

Donors are asked to put their names on the boxes and any unused supplies will be returned.

Pick-ups can be arranged by request.

KERPA is a registered Canadian charity with a mission to save lives, help the most critically ill and injured in our communities and to support emergency services. KERPA supports a volunteer emergency physician to attend the most critical 911 calls in Nelson and surrounding area. To learn more or donate, visit kerpa.org.

Related:

Nelson and COVID-19: everything you need to know

COVID-19 cancellations in the Nelson region