Montgomery County is once again asking for donations of commercial masks to protect local health-care workers as they fight the coronavirus pandemic, writes Carl Hessler Jr. for The Times Herald.

County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh first thanked everybody who donated personal protective equipment during the request sent out around a month ago. She the added that the county would once again be grateful for contributions of commercial masks of any type.

“Not the cloth masks, but the commercial masks and particularly surgical masks,” said Arkoosh. “Our need for these masks has increased dramatically.”

Arkoosh added that the county is using every avenue to acquire these masks for the people who need them, “but they’re extremely hard to purchase.”

Also needed are impervious – or waterproof – gowns.

“We really don’t care what they’re made of or what they look like,” said Arkoosh. “If you have impervious gowns that you could share, we would be very grateful for that contribution as well.”

Businesses or individuals who have items that they are willing to donate should email their information to COVID19@montcopa.org.

“We’ll take it from there,” said Arkoosh. “We’ll figure out how to get it from you.”

Read more about the request at The Times Herald by clicking here.