‘Sewing
Masks for Maine’ is a volunteer organization that are creating masks
specifically for healthcare providers. Within 15 days of the group forming,
they had already delivered almost 2,000 masks to healthcare facilities. ‘Sewing
Masks for Maine’ has a network of roughly 1,500 people from every county in the
state, including volunteers from Windham who wish to remain anonymous. The
group formed after seeing hospitals around the country requesting cloth face
masks to extend the life of their N95 respirators.
The
masks do not protect from COVID-19 and are not considered Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE). However, in speaking with Kristen Peters, the group’s Public
Relations person, while adequate PPE is obviously preferred, the fabric masks
can be used over the N95 respirators to extend their life. The masks can be
washed, sterilized and reused to give clinical masks an extra layer of
protection.
A group
of six lead volunteers organized and built a structure designed to connect
health care organizations and home sewers as efficiently as possible, while
providing quality control and adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The
group has received over 8,000 mask requests so far and the group is making
150-200 masks a day. The sewers are using socially distant, touch-free drop off
locations to get completed masks to the group’s coordinators. There are 38 drop
off locations across the state.
The
masks are made of 100% quilting cotton fabric and sewing elastic. Each mask is
quality checked before it is delivered. Things are moving very fast. Peters
estimates that roughly 2,500 masks have been made, with most of those made
already delivered.
“We
feel that no healthcare worker should be on the frontlines without adequate
protection,” said Peters. “If our masks can help in some way, we want to fill
that need; healthcare workers are people who will be caring for us if we get
sick – we want to care for them too.”
Peters
goes on to add “We’ve been hearing from recipients
who are incredibly moved by these masks; to know that people are being so
generous with their time and talent. It sounds like it’s been a morale boost
for people who are bearing the brunt of this crisis.”
Currently, there are a few Windham
and Raymond residents who have joined in on the effort. If you’re interested in
helping, would like to request a mask(s), or want to know more about ‘Sewing
Masks for Maine,’ visit their website at: https://www.sewingmasksformaine.com/
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