In recent weeks, Dodge County residents have generously donated personal protective equipment to the county Emergency Management office in response to requests from Public Health Director Amy Caron. Items donated have included N95 masks, surgical masks, homemade cloth masks, disposable gowns, reusable gowns, face shields and goggles for eye protection, non-sterile gloves, hand sanitizer, and cash.

County Emergency Management Director, Matt Maas talked about the donations at the county commissioners’ regular meeting May 12 and thanked donors for their generosity. He said the county has a small stockpile of these items needed to protect county employees, first responders, fire fighters, law enforcement officials, and others whose work takes them into situations where they may be exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in recent weeks.

“However,” he told the commissioners, “we could use more.”

By their very nature, the items used to protect personnel can only be used once and then must be discarded or washed appropriately so the small stockpile can be used up quickly, he explained.

Anyone interested in donating or those who have questions about the donations may call Emergency Management at 507-635-6219.