When nationwide shortages of protective gear left nurses and doctors wondering how they would care safely for patients, Durango’s Powerhouse MakerLab stepped up to create thousands of masks, hundreds of gowns and face shields, and dozens of respirators for hospitals in the area.
Ultimately, the MakerLab produced more than 20,000 items of protective equipment – an estimated retail value of over $500,000 – with the help of more than 500 volunteers and a grant from the state of Colorado’s COVID Relief Fund. Donations from Durango-area residents also helped fund their efforts.
Stephanie Clements, chief nursing officer for Mercy Regional Medical Center, said in an email to The Durango Herald that it was a relief for the hospital to know it could access supplies prepared locally.
With help from the grant and committed volunteers, the MakerLab expanded its reach and sent supplies as far as Denver.
“The difference here is that our MakerLab volunteers, health care workers and manufacturers often know one another,” said Jeff Susor, co-founder of the MakerLab.
Even though Denver has more people and resources, Susor said he’d be hard-pressed to name another community with that many doctors, nurses, sewers, donors and engineers who can band together quickly in a public health emergency.
Parents are returning to work, creating a new need in the community: child care. Social-distancing restrictions on group events have limited parents’ options for day care, as well as enriching experiences for their children in the summer months.
The Powerhouse Science Center received another grant last week from the COVID Relief Fund for its summer camp, Camp Discovery.
The weeklong camp provides hands-on learning in science and engineering, but it also “determines whether parents can return to work,” Susor said.
“Childhood care is one of the basic needs that was elevated during this time,” said Danielle Oliveto with the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Kathleen O’Connor, a Durango resident and former interim executive director of the Powerhouse, said it has been challenging to find camps that are open in the area because they’ve had to scale back or close. Her 9-year-old son has gone to Camp Discovery since he was 2 years old.
“I work, and his dad works out of town, which makes it really important to have these options,” O’Connor said.
In addition to helping parents, the camp encourages kids to cultivate an appreciation of science, O’Connor said.
“The skills they learn in these camps will serve them for the rest of their education,” O’Connor said.
For example, the campers wrapped eggs in various contraptions and dropped them from the roof of the building to see what would protect the eggs and what wouldn’t work. O’Connor’s son re-created the activity while dropping eggs from the top of her car at home.
Oliveto also hopes children will learn about the pandemic, and MakerLab’s innovative and creative response, during the camp.
“It is important for these kids to be learning about the inequities and gaps apparent in this historic moment,” Oliveto said.
The $15,000 grant from the COVID Relief Fund will cover lost revenue for the Powerhouse and support changes to the campus that will help staff follow social-distancing guidelines for summer camps, such as maintaining 6 feet of distance between campers.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced Monday that camps, including overnight camps, can open to 25 kids outdoors and 10 kids indoors. But Camp Discovery is offering a full refund to parents until their selected week of camp begins, should cases of COVID-19 rise in the area.
“From one week to the next, this thing has changed in what feels right and what feels wrong,” Susor said.
Even though many activities with Camp Discovery are outdoors, Susor said the camp is opening to only 10 kids in case the monsoons or unpredictable weather forces leaders to bring the camp indoors.
The grant to modify the physical building to meet social-distancing requirements, Susor said, is helping MakerLab through the next phase of COVID-19.
ehayes@durangoherald.com
