City of Newton receives mask donation

Newton nonprofit Organization Promoting Everlasting Neighbors (OPEN) announced on its Facebook page Monday, July 20 the City of Newton received a donation of 3,000 surgical-style masks and some additional washable masks.

May-May Ng, who worked with OPEN and the City of Newton for many years through its sister city, WuChi District, Taichung City, Taiwan, helped to arrange the donation. Ng reached out to mayor Mike Hansen about the potential of donating masks to the city. Hansen coordinated with Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik for the donation.

“It is great that May-May Ng has kept the City of Newton on her list of people that she is willing to help. I think at times people forget about the relationships founded by agencies like OPEN within their communities,” Wellik said.

During the pandemic, personal protective equipment or PPE has been in short supply throughout the nation. Wellik said Newton has not experienced great shortages, but the donated masks will help provide protection when social distancing isn’t an option.

Fire responders are required to wear N95 masks on all emergency calls, so the donated masks have been put to use in other areas. Wellik said the masks will be distributed in city offices and the administration building.

“The masks were donated to help public safety in Newton. We have been using them in the fire department and have distributed masks to the Newton Police Department, as well. These masks are primarily used to protect those we serve,” Wellik said.

He used the example of treating a patient with a cough or respiratory issues. A public safety worker would give one of the masks to the patient to help protect others who would come in contact with that person. The mask’s main purpose is to be used when social distancing isn’t possible.

“We ask all of our staff to wear a mask when out in public, not just on emergency calls. They would potentially wear the donated masks for those types of scenarios,” Wellik said.

Additionally, all people who enter the fire station are required to wear a face mask. Wellik said this is for “mutual protection” as the department has been transporting COVID-19 positive patients. When city council meetings are again open to the public, those attending will be required to have a mask to enter the building. A small number of masks will be available for those who don’t have one. These measures are in place to help keep operations running.

Jane Ann Cotton, who has been involved with OPEN from its inception, is pleased Ng was able to get the mask donation in Newton.

“May-May Ng has been a great friend to OPEN and Newton for many years,” Cotton said.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office donated 100,000 face masks to the State of Iowa and Ng made sure Newton received a portion of that donation. According to the post by OPEN, the masks were made by Sharp, a subsidiary of Foxconn, a Taiwanese company known for the production of iPhones. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foxconn reconfigured its facility in Wisconsin from an iPhone manufacturer to a factory producing Level 1 surgical masks and ventilators. Ng donated reusable cloth masks from her company, CK International, Ltd. of West Des Moines.

“This was a great donation to the City of Newton. It is nice to know that others, even halfway around the world, are thinking about helping Newton,” Wellik said.

OPEN has helped keep a good relationship between Newton and its sister cities. Hansen said the connection has allowed him to get to know Ng and her family through the “mutually beneficial relationship” with Newton’s sister city in Taiwan. It is because of these ties Newton was on the receiving end of the donation.

“(We are) blessed to have thoughtful friends like May-May thinking of our public safety professionals as we continue to provide essential services to the citizens of Newton. Thank you TECO and May-May for your generous donation, it’s very much appreciated,” Hansen said.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com