Although the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be leveling here in the U.S.A., hospitals, emergency medical units, and volunteer fire departments in the central Ozarks still need protection from hazardous exposure. The fight against pathogens is never-ending.
Through a collaborative manufacturing and distribution effort, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made 19,200 protective isolation gowns available to three local hospitals and multiple emergency medical response units in south-central Missouri and north-central Arkansas.
According to organizer Jeri Dias, “It was easy to bring everyone together with an identifiable common need.”
“Providing adequate protective equipment for the men and women responding to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing challenge,” stated Ken McKenzie of Oregon County Ambulance. “Our normal funding sources are in short supply.”
“But we still need to keep our medical responders safe whether in the hospital or out in the field,” added Daniel Marshall of South Howell County Ambulance.
“Everyone engaged in medical services is looking for ways to be safer so we can continue serving the public,” stressed Ron Peterson, CEO of Baxter Regional Medical Center. “By working together, we’re stronger.”
The Ozarks COVID resource collaboration included Ozarks Healthcare, Baxter Regional Medical Center, Texas County Memorial Hospital, South Howell County Ambulance Service, Oregon County Ambulance District, Ozark County Ambulance District, Willow Springs Ambulance District, and the West Plains Missouri Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“The Church has been actively engaged in COVID response throughout the world,” states Dias. “A $10 million donation was made to UNICEF for vaccinations in third world nations. Millions of masks were sewn and distributed early here in the Ozarks when the pandemic was first recognized in the USA.” She added, “This latest North American initiative was basically started by recognizing a need for isolation gowns,” stated Stake President Robert W. Jones.
When asked how the Church was able to contribute 16 pallets of gowns to the central Ozarks, President Jones explained, “Contributions are made by Church members through a voluntary monthly fast. The funds they would have normally spent on their personal food for two meals are used to meet community needs as Jesus Christ taught. He said, “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick.” The why is more basic; we love our neighbors and want everyone to be as safe as possible.”
The fact of the matter is that while the need for protective isolation gowns reached a peak during the pandemic, it is a need that never ends. Our first responders form the frontline defense when combatting everyday pathogens and those with more exotic and dangerous origins. This gift of isolation gowns was just one very practical way to express our support and thanks.
