Area school districts have been joining in the effort to help create and donate personal protective equipment to medical providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen tells KCII News that she’s spoken with the Mid-Prairie, Highland, and Washington School Districts about using their 3-D printers to create pieces for face shields and masks.

Reisen says people can also help pass the time at home by sewing masks, “We do have people throughout the community who are making them. I know Hospice has already received a bunch and Halcyon House has been taking donations of these. If anybody else is making them and doesn’t know where to take them, they can contact me and I can distribute them throughout the community as needed. There are a lot of different patterns and methods for creating these. The Iowa Department of Public Health did come out with some specific guidance just last week about their recommended style.” For specific information on recommended patterns for the masks click here.

Reisen says any N95 masks that people or businesses may have can also be donated to help medical workers who are taking care of the ill.

As of Wednesday, Iowa has 549 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths. Washington County Public Health says Washington County has three deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 34 confirmed cases.