Businesses around Kentucky are chipping in to stop the spread of COVID-19. Many are even producing PPE (personal protective equipment) for the first time to address shortages.
Prudential Heating & Air Conditioning saw that its UV technology could be used to decontaminate much needed N95 masks. The Louisville business designed, built and donated a custom-made UV lightbox to Floyd Memorial Hospital that uses UV light from UVC bulbs to sanitize health care equipment. This process allows masks to be used for a week or longer, extending the life of critical protective materials.
Clayton & Crume, a leather goods maker in Louisville, converted its production space to be able to make face shields for medical personnel. Within a few days of announcing the company’s plan to produce the shields, it had requests for millions of masks from hospitals and the state government. The reusable face shields are durable and can be sanitized to be used over and over.
Americana Community Center, along with many other community organizations and businesses, saw the need for cotton masks and jumped into action. The nonprofit enlisted its Americana Fiberworks group to sew hundreds of masks and set up a fabric donation stations to collect materials to make more. They even coordinated with some businesses to use Little Free Libraries as drop off locations for materials including fabric, elastic and bias tape. Completed masks are being donated to UofL Health.
Building Kentucky previously featured several Kentucky distilleries making hand sanitizer instead of bourbon.
If your business can donate or manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE), visit https://GivePPE.ky.gov or call 1-800-448-3773. PPE donations are being accepted at all 16 Kentucky State Police posts and at Transportation Cabinet offices in Louisville and Lexington. Needed items include coveralls, face shields, respirators, safety goggles, surgical masks, surgical gloves, sanitizing wipes, disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer.