Locally Produced Hand Sanitizer Available for County’s First Responders and Employees

For Immediate Release: Saturday, March 28, 2020

The first batch of locally made hand sanitizer is now in the hands of Montgomery County Police and staff at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation thanks to a partnership between Montgomery County’s Department of General Services (DGS), local distilleries and a pharmacy compounder.

Facing a critical shortage of hand sanitizer for Montgomery County’s employees and first responders, DGS contacted local distilleries to produce 85% proof alcohol needed for producing hand sanitizer.

“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."

“This locally made hand sanitizer is critically important for our first responders and forward-facing employees,” says DGS Chief Operating Officer Jamie Cooke. “We have formed an incredible team of small businesses and County employees. 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. To have the county government teaming with private sector companies to provide a local solution is inspiring.”   

This production process involves four area distilleries, two wineries and one compounder/pharmacist 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

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.

Residents should continue to take these simple steps:

• Stay informed by using trusted sources for up-to-date information. The County’s COVID-19 website includes County service modifications, resources, information on prevention techniques, as well as links to the CDC and other resources.
• Practice social distancing. Try to stay at least six feet away from people and avoid direct physical contact.
• Stay home when you're sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook and Twitter.

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Media Contact: Julie Parker, julie.parker@montgomerycountymd.gov

 

 

 

Release ID: 20-144
Media Contact: Julie Parker 240-777-7607