The Westview News

Press Release
Tough Get Sewing!
Date
April 3, 2020

     If the going gets tough, the tough get SEWING!

     In an effort to supplement the extensive infection control measures in place at Westview, a new initiative between staff, volunteers, and even a resident is underway to make cloth face masks for non-isolation general use at the facility. Sonya Newman (a Certified Nursing Assistant on the stellar staff at Westview) and her mother-in-law Susan Newman challenged themselves with a noble cause in these challenging times: to make 475 reusable, fabric masks to help balance out the increased need for this element of personal protective equipment. Although these do-it-yourself masks will not be used as isolation masks in the treatment of residents, their use in community situations will slow the diminishment of valuable medical-grade versions.

     The Newman ladies are working as quickly as they can to create more and more masks. Still, they realize that enlisting the help of even more seamsters and seamstresses is the fastest way to reach their goal. This initiative was presented to Westview’s Therapeutic Recreation Director Louise Taylor and from there a mask-making coalition was born. Susan Newman pre-packages “kits” of masks yet to be made; including everything from the instructions to the gingham-pattered fabric to the elastic ear-loops. Just between yesterday and today Louise and Faith St. Pierre (a daughter of a current resident at Westview) and Linda Couture (a resident currently receiving care at Westview!) made 60 masks all together.

     There’s an old expression you may have heard: “A stitch in time saves nine.” This is meant to emphasize that taking early, decisive action to solve a problem will prevent the greater needs and resources to tackle that same problem at a later date. It is exactly this attitude that gives this cause purpose and strength.

     We are still seeking assistance from anyone capable of operating a sewing machine to “join our crusade” as we produce these fabric facial coverings. Please call Christine Zadora, Assistant to the Administrator at (860) 774-8574…extension 110 if you or someone you know is available and interested in helping!

Westview Health Care Center is a 103-bed inpatient skilled nursing facility, which includes a distinct and self-contained 28-bed sub acute short term rehabilitation unit and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapies including: Sports Medicine, Adolescent/Pediatric, Adult, and Aquatic Outpatient Centers, all dedicated to providing outstanding quality health care services. The Dayville, Connecticut facility is consistently ranked among the top nursing facilities in the nation, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as U.S. News and World Report, for the past 12 consecutive years.