People of all ages are helping get PPE to those who need it
As the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 continues to increase, so does the demand for masks to help protect us from the virus or passing it on to others. There are a few Cornwall-based groups which have joined a worldwide effort to create and distribute masks to healthcare professionals, supermarket employees, and other at-risk individuals.
Face Mask Friends
Tracy Andrews was watching the news a couple weeks ago and happened upon a video released by Indiana-based Deaconess Hospital. A hospital administrator was sitting next to a woman sewing masks and giving step-by-step instructions on how to make them.
Andrews immediately thought she could make masks and knew several others who sew as a hobby. She reached out to them and created a post on the Living in Cornwall Facebook page seeking assistance from other volunteers. The post ended up being so long she decided to create her own group — Face Mask Friends. In just two weeks, nearly 350 people have joined the group
“It was fantastic,” Andrews said of the response. “People understand there’s a crisis and this is their way of trying to help. It’s been the most beautiful thing I’ve probably ever done in my entire life.”
The group maintains about 30 sewers and helpers and has averaged between 50 to 150 masks per day. Each mask takes about 10 to 15 minutes to sew. Not all the volunteers are from Cornwall. Some hail from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New Jersey and each is helping their local organizations.
The masks are not foolproof and they do not provide 100 percent particle prevention, Andrews said, but they are double-sided cotton sewn with elastic or ties. They are not N95 masks, but many have been wearing these masks over the N95 masks as an extra layer of protection. The benefit of the hand-made face masks is they can be washed and reused. They’re also free to anyone who receives them.
Beneficiaries of the masks include: St Luke’s Hospital, Orange Regional Medical Center, Vassar, Good Samaritan, Montefiore Moses in the Bronx, Mt. Sinai, Hudson Valley Imaging, Flannery Hospital, and various nursing homes.
Andrews said one of the challenges is finding elastic to make the masks. She has a friend who works near the garment district, in New York City, and was able to obtain 70 yards of elastic.
Face Mask Friends is currently considering charging individuals who are requesting masks. The money would be used to purchase more supplies.
Andrews posts daily updates and the page constantly posts videos on how to make masks using a variety of materials.
Masked Warriors of Orange County
Jenny Rescigno, another Cornwall resident, had come across a Rockland County-based Facebook page dedicated to creating masks for hospitals and emergency personnel. She attempted to find a group in Orange County, but didn’t have any luck, so she created her own.
It started initially with an Instagram post from EKB Kitchens,” Rescigno said. “St. Luke’s [Hospital] was in dire need of face masks. I reached out to them and said if I started this group if they wouldn’t mind becoming a drop off location.”
After not even a full week, the group had 135 members. Now that number stands at over 200. In just the first week, volunteers created more than 325 masks.
EKB Kitchens, in New Windsor, has been the main drop-off point, but Rescigno said she has been picking up for people who are unable to get out of their home because they’re quarantined or in an at-risk group.
Rescigno said the group is not saying no to any requests and has provided masks to St. Luke’s Hospital, Middletown Rehab, nursing homes, ShopRite, CVS, Cornwall, and Highlands Ambulance Corps.
Supplies have been difficult to come by. Elastic especially is hard to find, and some are reporting fabric shortages. Janice Barth, a long-time sewer, said she’s finally able to raid the stockpile of sheets she’s been collecting over the years. She recently purchased Blue Shop Towels which are said to be two to three times more effective at containing particles.
Rescigno said she’s been trying to get a hold of vacuum bags because the HEPA filters are better at blocking particles. Some are requesting masks be made with ties or headbands because the elastic can chafe the skin after hours of use.
“I think it’s really wonderful that an entire group can come together and fill a need,” Rescigno said. “It’s nice because I’m not just sitting down while people on the front lines are dying.”
Daisy Troop 685
While adults are being proactive in creating masks for those in need, young children are home confused about what’s going on in the world around them. Some want to help, but don’t know how to do so.
Bridget Carty is the leader of Daisy Troop 685. The Girl Scout troop is made up of 16 six-and-seven-year olds looking for a way to contribute to the effort.
“One of the mothers is a physician’s assistant at Orange Regional,” Carty said. “She was telling us how they’re short masks and PPE. We decided to get the girls involved in something.”
Carty said another parent has a connection to a distributor of face masks in China. Since the scouts are unable to get together for meetings, they used Zoom to discuss the idea and then created a video to raise money to purchase masks.
The video was posted on social media and directed viewers to a GoFundMe link. In a matter of days, the scouts had successfully collected $3185 dollars — $3000 of which was used to purchase 8000 masks. The FDA approved masks will be donated to doctors, nurses and first responders.
As of deadline, the girls were short $785 of their $4000 goal to make another purchase. Carty said if the threshold isn’t met, the money will be used to purchase gift cards and distribute them to community members who need them.
“They were very excited it raised that much money and we could get so many masks,” Carty said. “Their next task is they’re writing thank you cards to send with each donation to the hospital. To make a donation, visit www.gofundme.com
