The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a critical shortage of hand sanitizer for Montgomery County’s employees and first responders. In response, a dynamic partnership has been created to address the shortfall.
Locally made hand sanitizer has made its way into the hands of Montgomery County Police and staff at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation thanks to a partnership between local distilleries, local wineries, a pharmacy compounder, and Montgomery County’s Department of General Services.
Officials say the partnership resulted in local distilleries being contacted to help produce 85% alcohol which is needed to produce hand sanitizer.
“This locally made hand sanitizer is critically important for our first responders and forward-facing employees,” says DGS Chief Operating Officer Jamie Cooke. “Together we will continue making batches every week and delivering to all of our public-facing County employees. Once we have satisfied their needs, we will offer the hand sanitizer product to local hospitals and other County organizations.
According to a press release, four area distilleries, two wineries and one compounder/pharmacist have been working together to produce 300 gallons of hand sanitizer each week:
Distilleries:
- Twin Valley Distillers – Rockville, MD
- MISCellaneous Distillery – Mt Airy, MD
- McClintock Distillery – Frederick, MD
- Lost Arc Distilling Company – Columbia, MD
Winery:
- Black Ankle Vineyards – Mt Airy, MD
- Windridge Vineyards – Darnestown, MD
Pharmacy:
- Vashan Compounding Pharmacy – Gaithersburg, MD
“We are grateful to our local business community for pitching in and helping to make hand sanitizer for us,” said Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus G. Jones. “As first responders, we are focused on protecting our community, as well as our own families. This is a prime example of people coming together to support our County’s first responders and collectively protect our fellow residents.”
Overall, officials say the hand sanitizer will be used by County Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Health and Human Services, Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County Department of Transportation.
Click here to view the Montgomery County COVID-19 website, which includes resources and lots of helpful information.
