Every Week I will highlight individuals, groups and businesses who are stepping up and leading the way in the COVID- 19 Era.
This week: MacKenzie Atlantic Face Shields
Over the past couple weeks, I have had residents ask, "Why are there so many cars at PA- I thought all schools were closed!" Prince Andrew High school has always been a pillar of activity in our community. From hosting mock elections, concerts and community events, to the athletic and artistic events, PA Has always been a place of great activity. This is a school we all take enormous pride in! The COVID-19 Era is no different.
Since Mid April, the gymnasiums at Prince Andrew High have been used by MacKenzie Atlantic to manufacture medical face shields. The company has signed an agreement with the IWK & Nova Scotia Health Authority to provide personal protective equipment (PPE). As of June, MacKenzie Atlantic is producing 90,000 medical face shields per week, right here in Dartmouth East. It was these medical face shields made at PA that were sent to Northwood to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at that facility.
Companies like MacKenzie Atlantic have been vital in the fight against COVID-19. The owner of this company is Matthew MacKenzie, himself a grad of PAHS! MacKenzie has been able to hire 44 new employees due to the increased demand for medical face shields throughout the province. Until a vaccine is found, we know the demand of medical face shields and all PPE will only grow.
On behalf of our Dartmouth East community, I want to extend our grattitude to MacKenzie Atlantic for stepping up and producing this equipment to support our health care professionals and front-line workers. I know our community takes pride in the fact that our local high school has been used to manufacture PPE that supports our essential workers in the fight against COVID-19.
This is just another small sample of how folks in our community are making a difference. It is my intention to highlight their stories every week on my blog. If you have suggestions on who I should highlight, I can be contacted at [email protected].
Stay strong. Stay safe. Stay postiive.
Tim