Some Oregon Nurses Using Swim Goggles as Masks Run Out

The Director of the Oregon Nurses Association says some nurses were wearing swim goggles as medical professionals are running out of masks.

 
 




 
 

Rachel Gumpert, Director of Communications for the Oregon Nurses Association says the supply of proper protective equipment is running out amid the coronavirus pandemic.  During Monday’s briefing, President Donald Trump announced that FEMA is distributing 8 million N95 respirator masks and 13.3 million surgical masks and will be delivering more to those areas with higher need.  At the moment, many places around the country are running critically low on protective gear.

“I know of at least one major hospital system where there are nurses who wore swim goggles during their shifts today because they had not been provided enough eye protective gear. They didn’t have a face mask, and so they were using swim goggles in a desperate attempt to stay safe.  You have nurses across the state who are working to try to create DIY makeshift masks just so that there’s a greater chance that they won’t get infected and spread this to one of their children or an elderly parent or a partner.” – Rachel Gumpert

 
 

On Monday, Gumpert said local nurses were terrified that the equipment won’t arrive fast enough.

 
 

Tags: ,

BIG Stories