News - How You Can Help with the PPE Shortage

A growing movement is underway in hackerspaces, makerspaces, and sewing groups to come together and solve a problem to save lives at risk with the Coronavirus.  As you may know, there is a real shortage of personal protective equipment for front line workers, especially masks.

A homemade mask will of course, not offer the same level of protection as an approved medical/surgical mask, however hospitals are looking towards homemade masks as a possible alternative as the pandemic spreads and more shortages are reported.

You can help - today, right now - even if you are not a sewer!

For those that sew, there are several free patterns available online and on YouTube. I have been using this pattern from Free Sewing. You can find the pattern, instructions as well as a video HERE

There is a lot of confusing information available about what type of fabric is best, this article from Smart Air Filters is fantastic and does a great job explaining the pros and cons of various options. I have been making my masks using a light weight cotton (for the exterior) and a kitchen tea towel (for the interior) (MORE after jump)

For non sewers, you can help by donating appropriate fabrics, thread and offering your time to help cut the fabric and iron. Reach out to your local sewing shop or ask any of your friends that do sew. Someone will direct to you a local initiative looking for help. Cutting and ironing is a HUGE part of sewing - any tasks which can be moved out of the hands of those actually working the sewing machines, frees up more time to actually make more masks.

I was able to locate a hospital local to where I live by posting an offer to help on Facebook. Almost immediately folks responded with the name two different organizations looking for assistance. To learn more, follow the hashtags #millionmaskchallenge and #millionmaskmayday on Instagram. By scrolling through images, you will find programs and projects around the USA and world.