“ Say our folks on the front lines are out testing people in the community ,” says Hoyer . “ If they are wearing one of our masks , they have the ability to leave the mask on and hydrate while continuing to work . This will allow us to be more productive and take care of our people .”
Constructing Creative Solutions
Early in the pandemic , state and national leadership thought there would be a significant shortage of N95 masks , and an emergency use authorization approval was issued to decontaminate used masks .
“ We built a vapor chamber in the back of a trailer and equipped an aerosolized hydrogen peroxide system to decontaminate masks ,” says Hoyer .
Guard members quickly realized this technology , which is typically used to decontaminate medical devices inside hospitals , was capable of much more and began using it to decontaminate masks and gowns in situations where PPE materials were low . To date , it has been used to sanitize more than 11,200 N95 masks . It has also been utilized to protect health care workers outside the hospital who are responding to crisis situations . The Guard equipped the aerosolized hydrogen peroxide system — which uses a non-toxic , non-residue hydrogen peroxide solution that looks like a dry fog — to clean HVAC systems in long-term care facilities and buildings where COVID-19 contamination has taken place as well as ambulances , police cars , fire trucks and other first-responder vehicles . According to Hoyer , it has been used to sanitize more than 600 emergency service vehicles .
“ In the Guard , one of our principles is to manage challenges and turn them into opportunities .”
Looking Forward
From creating internet hotspots for telemedicine and virtual learning to converting phone lines at Saint Francis Hospital in case of an emergency to working alongside the governor ’ s office to support the grant process , the Guard has taken on many roles to serve West Virginia throughout the pandemic .
“ I guess you could call us the Swiss Army knife for the state of West Virginia ,” says Hoyer .
For now , Hoyer is looking forward . The Guard will continue to provide support and is already working on a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for West Virginia .
“ I think our objective right now is to be able to manage this through a vaccine , which I hope comes sooner rather than later , but history shows that vaccines don ’ t come quickly . When they do , it typically takes a lot of time and effort to get them administered ,” he says . “ I think we just have to plan to hold steady . We are prepared for what we need to do .” •
Powering the community .
Congratulations , Gary , on being named one of WV Executive ’ s Lawyers & Leaders . We ’ re proud to call you one of our own .
Gary Jack , Sr .
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