GEORGE NEWS - The George Visor Initiative, started during lockdown, has managed to print and donate face shields for 1 700 healthcare workers in George, in time for the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the province. The visors will help protect and save the lives of people who work on the front line.
Up until 25 June, 2 974 healthcare workers in the province have been infected with the coronavirus and 27 have died. The numbers were given by Dr Saadiq Kariem, chief of operations at the Western Cape Health Department during an online media briefing hosted by Premier Alan Winde on 25 June.
Winde said the province is moving into the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic as has been forecast by their modelling. More than 60 Covid-19 deaths are recorded daily.
The face visors donated by the George Visor Initiative have been received with much appreciation. Thanks to the persistence of all the collaborators, they managed to make almost double their initial target. The project was the brainchild of Dr Karmelle van Rensburg, a local anaesthesiologist, in association with the George Narkose Groep.
Van Rensburg says the demand was very high, both in the public and private sector. "We initially aimed at producing 1 000 visors, however we exceeded our expectations."
Dr Karmelle van Rensburg (left), who initiated the visor printing initiative, with nurse Paul Daniels.
They donated 630 visors to Mediclinic George, 655 to the George Provincial Hospital and Thembalethu clinics, 145 to George GP practices and 270 to smaller medical practices such as George Surgical Centre, Outeniqua Oncology and a number of consultation rooms.
"It was a long two and a half months making the visors, but every moment was worth it, even if we only save one life. Now our healthcare professionals can protect themselves in order to take care of our community during the Covid-19 surge," says Van Rensburg.
"This was a collaborative effort from many and we would like to thank all our printing heroes who throughout the lockdown assisted in printing the bands, right to the very end, as well as a huge thank you to all our sponsors who made this initiative possible."
The volunteers who printed the visor bands are iWeather, Jabiru, Q3D printing, Murdy 3D printing and the Smiths, and the sponsors are George Specialist Association, Diskonto, Rubberman and all the ladies who assisted with sewing the elastic bands.
"We wish all the healthcare workers all the best during these challenging times. Stay strong and stay safe," says Van Rensburg.
Sr Andy Moss, Sr Leonie Muller and Poppie van Eck are grateful for the protection of the visors donated by the George Visor Initiative.
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