Yesterday was cloudy and bit rainy, but it was a fine day for Overlake nurses and healthcare workers. It was a day where workers from all around Overlake finally felt like they were being cared for, not by their employer, but by their union colleagues from around the country.

WSNA spent yesterday across the street from Overlake distributing face masks provided by AFT, our national union. AFT is stepping up to help fill the void caused by a national shortage of protective equipment and the lack of effective federal action to secure and produce more.

This event was about taking care of those who care for us all in so many ways. It goes beyond the bedside and the individual. It’s about community. It’s about unity. Regardless of Overlake’s determination of the suitability of these masks for clinical use based on their everchanging standards, you know you can still provide your family and yourself a tool for protection in the community, all the while hoping Overlake finds a way to ensure you have proper protective equipment at the bedside every unit … every shift … every day.

WSNA understands you may not have stopped by to get masks because of the confusing email sent by Overlake yesterday morning. WSNA did in fact comply with Overlake’s process for donating masks by providing a package to the supply chain staff to be vetted for clinical use even though these masks were not a donation to Overlake’s supply closet, but to you.

We have yet to receive a response.

We are certain that you will find many uses for these masks outside of the clinical setting at Overlake. We’d love to see pictures of you and your family wearing these masks. Please send photos to selfie@wsna.org or post with the hashtag #GetUsPPE. If you did not receive masks and you are in need of them, please contact WSNA organizer Zach Siekel, zseikel@wsna.org.

If you have other questions or concerns, please contact your WSNA nurse representative Sydne James, sjames@wsna.org.