This is a page to support doctors, nurses and others on the frontline. We urge all members of the community to do the right thing! Donate your medical masks (N95 and Surgical Masks) to your nearest hospital or clinic. Join your district WhatsApp group here and find a way to network with the right people. You can also help healthcare workers by making some of the protection they need. See ‘Health Care Kamikazes’: How Spain’s Workers Are Battling Coronavirus, Unprotected.
Just in case the community in your district does not respond to your plight here are some really neat ways to make your own protection as a healthcare worker.
Requirements
A healthcare worker needs the following personal protective equipment (PPE).
NDOH COVID 19 IPC Guidelines 2020-03-30
PPE Plan Western Cape 25 March 2020
Learn how to don and doff PPE
Sterilisation
Want to keep your personal stuff sterilised, get a fridge fitted with UV light.
Masks
Wear a surgical mask better
If you don’t have a surgical or N95 mask you may have to make a fabric mask. See how you can make an effective one here.
Do you want to be sure your medical mask is safe. Try blowing out a flame to test.
If you have an N95, you can decontaminate and re-use them: Suggestions
If you have a KN95 check for quality here
Want to store and make your N95 safe to use again. Use a lunch box!
Addressing COVID-19 Face Mask Shortages
Visors
Glasses fogging up? Immediately before wearing a face mask, wash the spectacles with soapy water, and shake off the excess. Then, let the spectacles air dry or gently dry off the lenses with soft tissue before putting them back on. Now the spectacle lenses should not mist up when the face mask is worn. See article
This is a really easy way to make visors with transparencies, plastic binding covers or stiff plastics
Here is an example of one made in Chiawelo
You can make one with the same material but adjustable
You can also make a visor from a plastic 2 litre Coke bottle.
Want a disposable gown? Try a bin bag!
Booths
Have some nifty people around you. Ask them to make a booth!
Make a booth for personal protection
