[Medford, Oregon] — May 11, 2020, As Jackson County begins to prepare to reopen under Phase 1 guidelines outlined by Governor Brown, the Emergency Operations Center will close the personal protection equipment (PPE) drop-off donation site at the Jackson County Expo on Friday, May 15, 2020. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Jackson County community,” says John Vial, Director of the Jackson County Emergency Operations Center. “When we opened the drop-off site in mid-March, we were essentially out of PPE in the county. The community’s donations were critical in getting us through the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in our area.”
While the donation site will be closing, Vial notes that there is still a need for new PPE in Jackson County. “Essential workers at long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, and healthcare centers still need masks and gowns to continue their essential work,” says Vial. If you are creating handmade masks and gowns, you can call the Emergency Operations Center at (541) 774-8274 and they will arrange to pick up your donations and deliver them to high-need facilities in the area.
As Jackson County begins to reopen, please remember that COVID-19 has not been eliminated. The virus spreads between people who are in close contact (within 6ft) of one another, through droplets from coughing, sneezing, and even talking. In the coming weeks, staying home as much as possible and practicing physical distancing will remain important strategies.
For more information on donating PPE or for PPE needs, please contact Helen Funk, Logistics Section Chief, Jackson County Emergency Operations Center at (541) 774-8274 or FunkHC@jacksoncounty.org.
# # #