Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- Leaders from Broward Health on September 25 provided personal protective equipment, including masks, face shields and gloves, as well as COVID-19 educational materials, to about 20 nonprofits with the intent of helping community partners curb the spread of COVID-19. Research shows that following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines, such as wearing a face mask and social distancing, can greatly reduce the spread of the virus and enable the public to partially return to life, although a new normal.
“As the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC) continues to pivot and provide services for our youth, we can only do so with partnerships like the one we have with Broward Health,” said Matt Organ, Co-CEO, BGCBC. “The donation from Broward Health of PPE and educational material for our staff and youth, alike, has enabled us to continue to provide the necessary services in a safe and healthy manner, all the while educating our members in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. We are forever thankful to Broward Health and for the caring about today’s youth.”
“These PPE materials and educational materials help protect Habitat Broward’s employees, volunteers and the hard-working future homeowners we serve,” added Thor Barraclough, Habitat Broward’s chief program officer. “As an essential service, Habitat never stopped building affordable housing throughout the COVID pandemic – now Broward Health is helping ensure we never will.”
The distribution was part of a larger Broward Health initiative. Since August, the health system has distributed 17,000 masks and wellness kits, 12,000 face shields and more than 60,000 gloves throughout areas of Broward County with high COVID-19 positivity rates and populations designated as high-risk. Educational materials are available in English, Spanish and Creole. Broward Health’s goal is to help educate the public on how face coverings and other safety measures reduce viral spread.
“We are extremely grateful to Broward Health for donating much essential PPE to Arc Broward,” said Julie Price, chief operating officer, Arc Broward. “This PPE will go directly to our frontline employees and will help us to ensure the safety and health of all we serve.”
“Until there is a vaccine to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, the best thing we have is using a face mask,” said Aldo Calvo, D.O., medical director of ambulatory services for Broward Health. “The way to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 is to wear a face mask when out in public, wash your hands frequently and keep your distance to at least six feet, if not more.”
“As a public health system, public education and community outreach help enable Broward Health to achieve our mission of providing access to quality care to all those we serve,” said Ashley Boxer, vice president of external affairs for Broward Health. “We were thrilled to provide masks and educational materials to our community partners. It is our hope that community will continue to join us in preventing the spread of COVID-19.”