Protective Gear From Federal Stockpile Distributed to Central Nebraska Health Workers

Public health districts in central Nebraska got what they hoped for this week: additional protective gear for health care workers. It came from a rarely used federal stockpile that’s been in storage for years.

Latest news & resources: netNebraska.org/coronavirus

It’s the type of gear in short supply around the country, now in the hands of central Nebraska Public health districts.

"We have several different types of masks, and then some N-95 resperator types of masks. We have some gowns and Tyvex suits, face shields, goggles."

Michele Bever of the South Heartland Public Health District welcomed the delivery. It was part of the Strategic National Stockpile, described as “the nation’s largest supply of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency.”

While stored locally, the stash couldn’t be released until federal and state officials approved. Teresa Anderson of the Grand Island based Central District Health says some of the gear was bought years ago.

"Some of it is expired. But we've gotten approval to go ahead and use it even though it's expired," Anderson said. "It's just outdated, but it's still functional and effective."

The equipment was distributed to health districts. Their staffs will use some and the rest has been parceled out to fire departments, medical clinics and some nursing homes where many of those most at risk reside.

"Our nursing homes don't have enough equipment. We know that, but neither does anybody else," Anderson said. "So we're trying to determine what can we get out now to get you through this week or two weeks? And then what else can we try to find and playoffs will be delivered to us so that we can redistribute later on?"

That means NOT all the masks, gowns, and goggles unlocked this week will be distributed, according to the Adams County based Health director Michele Bever.

"But we’re working on it and making sure those that need it have what they need right now and sort of prioritizing based on the way things flow forward," Bever said.

Because supplies nationally remain scarce, one area hospital is working on making its own personal protective gear to shield health care workers from coronavirus.

Latest news & resources: netNebraska.org/coronavirus