Health care and first responder partners throughout the City of Windsor and the County of Essex are appealing to businesses who may have supplies that are integral to keeping frontline workers safe in the fight against COVID-19. Businesses that have available stock of any of the following items, are encouraged to donate them to be used by those working on the frontline, as they assist residents and patients in the fight against the impact of COVID-19.

Windsor - Mar. 24, 2020: Health care and first responder partners throughout the City of Windsor and the County of Essex are appealing to businesses who may have supplies that are integral to keeping frontline workers safe in the fight against COVID-19.

Businesses that have available stock of any of the following items, are encouraged to donate them to be used by those working on the frontline, as they assist residents and patients in the fight against the impact of COVID-19.

These items would be put to immediate use in hospitals, paramedic, fire, police and corrections services as well as long-term care homes.

Required supplies include:
· Respirators, Honeywell 5500 Series and NIOSG P100 filter cartridges
· N95 masks (model number: 3M18710, 3M9210 or 3MVFlex). If you have another available model of N95, please let us know so that we may assess if it is something that can be utilized.
· Nitrile gloves
· Battery-operated infrared medical thermometers
· Disposable impermeable gowns
· General surgical masks
· Hand sanitizer and/or disinfectant
· Sanitizer wipes
· Safety goggles

If you have any of the above, please contact us via email at 311@citywindsor.ca . City of Windsor and County of Essex staff will coordinate the pick up of items, beginning on Monday, March 23 in any area of region.

We will also have a drop-off location at the WFCU Centre starting Monday, March 23, 2020, between 10:30am and 2:30pm Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for those able to assist by delivering. We still ask that you email first before visiting the main desk at the Community Rinks entrance at 8787 McHugh Street where staff will direct you after a short screening process.

“In the last few days, based on the best advice of public health officials, many local services have temporarily stopped operating – from dentists to hair salons to large manufacturing,” said Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor “We are asking all those who might have any supplies in their possession to make them available for health care and other frontline workers.”

Corby Spirit and Wine, the company that makes the J.P. Wiser brand and manages Windsor’s waterfront distillery, announced it was planning to shift production to produce hand sanitizer, as soon as was practicable. Late last week, both the Federal and Provincial Government’s announced steps to make it easier for manufacturing facilities to shift production to produce medically necessary equipment and supplies. Until new sources of supply can be found, it will be vital for those facilities in Windsor-Essex who may have supplies to offer them up for public health and frontline use.

“No quantity is too small,” said Gary McNamara, Warden of Essex County “Our medical professionals are doing heroic work on the frontline of this crisis, under very challenging circumstances. I’m calling on all Essex County businesses to please assess your supplies and consider supporting our frontline workers.”

This is another example of County of Essex and City of Windsor municipal governments taking action to coordinate the regional response to COVID-19. For more information on COVID-19 planning and preparations by the City of Windsor, please visit our COVID-19 page www.citywindsor.ca/covid-19.

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit is an excellent resource for local updates on COVID-19.