A newly formed task force is asking for contributions of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment for local public safety workers.
The NWA Covid-19 Task Force is made up of school, city, county, state, fire, police and first-responder representatives, according to a news release. The group has held virtual meetings since March 16. Monday's meeting drew more than 120 officials from Benton and Washington counties, Rogers Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said.
Jenkins received calls from people who want to donate items, and this effort will centralize donations instead of coming in piecemeal across the two counties.
There's limited availability of personal protective equipment because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the release.
"While the federal government has begun funneling protective equipment supplies, our area is receiving very little. All hospitals, clinics, and first-responder stations have little if any of what they need to protect their workers," Rose Corscadden, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance communications director, said.