"We owe this effort for our first responders and healthcare workers here in Washington County," says Rep. Robert Alley of Beals in responding to a request made by a constituent to see if he could help with the oncoming needs of the medical profession during this time of the coronavirus crisis.
     "I made some calls to the businesses in the area to see if they could help contribute safety equipment such as gloves and respirator masks," says Alley. "I then went to places such as AC Carver, Church's True Value and Jonesport Shipyard to pick up and then deliver all of it to Down East Community Hospital."
     Alley delivered an assortment of gloves as well as approximately 300 respirator masks. "It was a good day," says Alley. "Not only did we deliver much needed protective personal equipment (PPE) to the hospital, but we did this on my birthday, making it extra special for me. I was glad to help and will continue to do so any way I can. We share when possible; that's just how it's done here
Downeast."
    Since 1985 the Jonesport Shipyard has been owned and operated by Sune and Patricia Noreen and has provided both the recreational and commercial boating community with a full array of boat repairs, storage, supplies, haul and launch services.
     "We helped as best we could at the time by giving whatever we had on hand," says Bragita Noreen, Jonesport Shipyard's chief procurement officer. "By that time it was already impossible to reorder masks of any sort, so we started looking into the possibility of constructing face shields." Noreen noticed in her research that some designs were using marine‑grade materials and that a face shield could impact the conservation of the critical N95 masks heavily demanded by all healthcare facilities.
     In speaking with Down East Community Hospital (DECH), Noreen explained Jonesport Shipyard's unique supply chain and business relationships and that they wanted to help any way they could. The hospital's response was a request for 1,500 face shields to be made and delivered as soon as possible. "Right now we are sourcing the needed materials and will no doubt require partnerships with other businesses to build the workforce to meet the need. We are interested in hearing from any other local businesses that may have an inclination to help," says Noreen. To help, call 497‑2701 or e-mail <bragita@jonesportshipyard.com>.
     Jonesport Shipyard is hoping that C&C Machine in Ellsworth will be cutting the plastic once some arrives. "The national supply of all types of plastic that could be used for the shield is in incredibly high demand and short supply due to PPE needs, restricted shipping and because it is used by retail stores to erect barriers," says Noreen. "It was thanks to efforts by Sunrise Glass of Ellsworth -- whose employees are also sewing face masks -- that we were able to secure some for DECH."
     A timeline for delivery has not yet been established, but Noreen expects all of that to solidify over the next couple of weeks. "Since everyone's number one job right now is to stop the spread of the virus, the shipyard is happy to lend support to make sure our healthcare workers and first responders will be protected," says Noreen.