Community Pulls Together

In times of crisis and when our friends and neighbors are in need, Jackson County residents are well-known for stepping up to help.     

The spread of the coronavirus in the State of Texas and other parts of the country have left health facilities and healthcare workers short of vitally needed supplies, such as protective masks.     

Candace Whittley of Edna, Texas, decided to help. Whittley immediately began organizing six of her friends to make protective masks. She now has approximately 100 patterns and has already begun providing masks to area healthcare facilities, such as Jackson County Hospital District.     

“When I heard the news that nurses were running out of masks and having to reuse the ones they had, my heart sank,” said Whittley. “They (nurses) are out here risking their lives to make sure our families are okay. I thought that helping to get them the masks they need to stay safe was the least we can do.”     

The unprecendented challenge of the coronavirus has caused many medical professionals to not have adequate equipment with which to protect themselves and others.     

Some are reusing their masks and gloves. But, without proper protection, any bedside visit could be fatal, especially for older physicians or members of their families.     

In many areas, health care workers have become ill and many have been quarantined.     

According to some reports, healthcare workers have been supplied with only one mask to use indefinitely and they have expressed concern reusing a mask might infect patients who did not previously have the virus.     

Donna Coleman, director of protective services for Jackson County Hospital District, praised Whittley’s work and for the community support.     

“Our supplies are coming slowly. We really appreciate the community coming together,” said Coleman.   

 “This really hit home for me,” said Whittley. “I have several friends and family members who are nurses working in the hospital and emergency rooms. I know a lot of them  worry about bringing the virus home to their families. The last thing they need to worry about is being protected. I want them to know we care and are happy to help in any way we can.”     

Whittley’s mission to provide protective masks have not gone unnoticed. Currently, Whittley has received requests from several healthcare facilities, including Jackson County Hospital and Southbrooke Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edna as well as from nurses and facilties in Wharton, Sugarland and San Antonio.     

Among the  several women helping Whittley create the new masks is Kelley Drastata of Edna. Drastata is a retired healthcare worker and heart transplant survivor who knows firsthand the importance for nurses to have protection from airborne diseases.     

When Drastata first learned of Whittley’s efforts, she wanted to be involved and she quickly donated a box of old scrubs to be used for mask material. Drastata explained that she had originally been holding onto the scrubs for sentimental  value,  but she wanted to give back and pay forward because of the doctors and nurses who have helped her during her transplant.     

Since Whittley put out the word that they were making masks, she said  she has received an outpouring of support from people asking to help.     

“It’s nice to see the community coming together in a time like this,” she said.