Local

Alaska Airlines flies out materials to make over 200,000 masks

SEATTLE — Several local companies are rushing to produce safety equipment and other medical supplies to help in the state’s fight against COVID-19.

On Friday, Alaska Airlines announced that it flew out materials to make 210,000 hospital-grade masks for caregivers at Providence’s 51 hospitals across the western United States.

The company said its flights carrying this cargo originated in Seattle and landed in Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles, where the masks will be assembled.

The masks will then be distributed to Providence hospitals throughout Alaska, California, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Texas and Washington state.

“For years, Alaska Airlines has helped us fly doctors, nurses and other medical personnel up and down the West Coast. Now more than ever, it's mission critical to get protective equipment to caregivers, who are caring for millions of people in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, chief clinical officer for Providence. “We are heartened by all the great companies stepping up to the 100 Million Mask Challenge and hope more will join our efforts to protect our country’s caregivers.”

Alaska said the masks will be created by craftspeople from Kaas Tailored, a Mukilteo furniture manufacturer, which stepped in to produce the much-needed supplies.