Sew Face Masks at Home

The Promise

I will sew face masks to donate to my local hospital or health organization to help with the shortage of personal protective equipment for hospital staff. 


Impact of the Promise

“The growing supply chain shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the ripple effect to those on the front lines is a foremost concern for all health care professionals.”  – American Medical Association

According to Business Insider, “On March 10, the National Nurses United union called on the White House and hospital systems to ensure that nurses have enough protective equipment. A union survey found only 30% of nurses reported having enough equipment to deal with the outbreak.” When nurses and doctors are not properly protected, their chances of getting sick and not being able to continue the fight against COVID-19 rapidly increases. Not only are they at risk of getting sick themselves but also of spreading it to patients and to their own families. So what can you do to help?  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol recently loosened its rules regarding face masks, allowing handmade masks for health care workers because of the shortages. With this new protocol, hospitals are calling on individuals to sew cloth face masks to help offset the shortage of standard  N-95 masks.  Make this promise and protect those fighting on the frontlines of the pandemic today.

Action Items

Do

  • Clean & disinfect your workspace
  • Follow these instructions and guidelines on sewing face masks
  • Watch the accompanying video tutorial here
  • Identify and contact a local hospital to determine the best way to get the face masks delivered. Research “where to donate hand-sewn face masks” if you need help getting started. And check the list of organizations requesting donations.
  • Make a list of all necessary supplies to limit trips to the store. Purchase online if possible or use supplies you have on hand.
  • Be sure you are using the appropriate fabric and materials to ensure safety requirements are met. Keep a record of what materials you use to inform hospital staff when delivering them.

Don’t

  • Don’t make face masks just for individual use. These are meant to be donated to hospitals and healthcare facilities where they are desperately needed.
  • Don’t make face masks if you or any member of your household is ill. Wait until you are completely recovered to help.
  • Don’t show up to a hospital unannounced to deliver them. Call and determine the safest way for you to get them to the hospital.
  • Don’t use different fabric than recommended; many hospitals have specifically requested certain fabric and patterns to ensure these face masks are as effective as possible to keep particles out.

Resources:

“Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html
“Local Crafters Sew Masks To Support Health Care Workers” https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/03/24/820662576/homebound-but-not-helpless-local-crafters-sew-masks-to-support-health-care-workers

Element of Honor

Contemplation

I reserve time to understand the world and attempt to understand my place in it. When I see that my commitment is needed, I remember that promises are not easy to keep. I believe in planning and careful consideration. My words and actions have consequences. I should be patient with both


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