The coronavirus pandemic has caused a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and local agencies are asking that businesses and the community help to supply whatever is possible, said Director Fred Petersen of the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency.

“There is a critical need for PPE for healthcare and first responders,” said Petersen. “We are in dire need of the following: N95 masks, surgical masks, protective gowns, face shields and gloves.”

To connect with the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency call 419-734-6900 or email ema@co.ottawa.oh.us

“We could also really use hand sanitizer and other cleaning and disinfecting products,” said Petersen. “We project that our partners, such as Magruder Hospital, the local EMS squads, will soon exhaust their supplies.”