MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Hospitals making up the Mon Health System are now allowing employees to wear homemade masks in designated areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital Chief Administrative Officer, Avah Stalnaker, noted, “We can now use homemade masks for employees that are not providing direct patient care. A universal masking policy went into effect on April 7, mandating all employees, visitors and essential service providing vendors to wear a mask in all Mon Health facilities. The system-wide policy was developed after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released its most recent masking guidelines, recommending the use of face coverings in all public settings.”

Homemade masks may be worn over a surgical mask in direct patient care areas. Employees working in non-direct patient care areas are only to wear homemade masks to conserve supplies.

Community members have generously donated handsewn facemasks to be used at all Mon Health facilities.

Melissa Lockwood, Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital Chief Administrative Officer, noted, “It is truly heartwarming to see the tables turn, and our communities come together to take care of hospital employees.”

Mon Health Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer, Mark Gilliam, noted the importance of observing the recent CDC masking recommendations and commended the Mon Health Medical Center Auxiliary.

“Mon Health Medical Center volunteers are our backbone. Without their support in providing handsewn masks, as well as our community’s help, we could not weather this storm to be your community hospital and system for generations before us and in the future,” Gilliam said. “We follow CDC guidelines to protect our staff, which allows us to provide proper care for the communities served by Mon Health during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent further spread of the virus.”

Please note, homemade face masks are not to be used in place of personal protective equipment such as surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Personal protective equipment should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.

Please visit the CDC website for further public masking information.

Those interested in donating masks to be used by Mon Health employees should contact donatesupplies@monhealthsys.org.

Visit www.MonHealth.com/Heroes to learn other ways to get involved and support #MonHealthHeroes.