Khan Ngo and her family sewing masks
Meanwhile , Khan Ngo was busily setting up four sewing machines at her home . She was moved after receiving an email asking for help with masks . “ I almost cried when I read it ,” she shared with GB Magazine . “ With everything going on , I was thinking a lot about how I could help the country and the hospital and other people . But I didn ’ t know how to do it .” Now she did . Over two days in March , she and her family members produced almost 500 masks .
The masks were initially used by employees working in nonclinical areas , which let hospital staff in Escondido and Poway conserve medical-grade masks for doctors and nurses . As more PPE became available on the market , the homemade masks were shared with patients , volunteers and community non-profit partners .
Margaret Mertens , Palomar Health ’ s Director of Volunteer Development and Spiritual Care , organized the project , which ultimately collected 30,000 masks in all sizes , shapes and colors . “ When I think about it , it was amazing ,” she said . “ Other area hospitals were not ready to accept masks , so Palomar Health became the place to call . The community outreach was just incredible .”
Khan Ngo
She heard from numerous employees who were touched by the outpouring of support . “ The staff just love how beautiful the masks are ,” Mertens said . “ A lot of time and thought went into them . They were so lovingly made . These masks made a big difference for our staff and let them know the community was behind them .”
www . palomarhealthfoundation . org
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