Luzerne County company

A Hanover Twp. company known for producing security bags for banks, retail shops and election committees is adding face masks to its list during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Like the rest of the world, we don’t know when this is going to end,” said Darcy Buck, president of A. Rifkin Co. “Our plan is as long as they need them, we’re going to keep supporting them.”

The company, in addition to security bags for cash deposits and document handling, makes mattress covers for hospital and prison beds and sleepwear. After the shutdown of nonessential businesses, Buck said the company applied for a waiver to continue operations so it could produce masks and gowns that adhere closely to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Buck said the company reopened on March 23 and, after spending a couple of days researching the proper materials, understanding guidelines and conferring with local medical professionals about proper patterns, began producing face masks and gowns. Buck said the company will also produce scrub hats for those who need them.

The company is also making covers for the N95 masks to increase their longevity. Because of limited facility capacity, Buck said the company is only serving local medical places.

She said employees were given an opportunity to come back to work if they felt they could do so safely, and most did return to help. Those who stayed home, Buck said, were those who had to take care of their families, in the high-risk group, or had the sniffles.

She said at work, everyone is kept apart to maintain social distancing and the company has increased its cleaning measures.

“We did everything that we possibly can do to try to make sure everybody’s safe while they’re trying to do things to help other people,” Buck said

Stephanie Panny, The Times Tribune Article Link: https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/luzerne-county-company-adds-masks-gowns-to-production-line-1.2614144