Quilters are known for their giving hearts and stepping up
in any way they can. Recently, quilters from all over the world have come together
to protect their communities. In the mist of social distancing, they have been diligently
sewing face masks to help defend people who are exposed to Covid-19.
Some people are making masks for hospital staff and first
responders. They are also making them for essential employees and their coworkers.
Others are creating masks to keep their family and friends safe. No matter the
reason that they have, they are putting their time, money, and materials aside
to protect the people they care for.
We are learning more about this developing disease and how
to combat it. Aside from hand washing and disinfecting, CDC recommends homemade
face masks to slow the spread of the virus and help people, who may have the
virus and do not know it, from transmitting it to others.
Cloth face coverings are a good option for those who are in
public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to
maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of
significant community-based transmission. With the limited amount of medical grade
masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first
responders, these homemade masks are great secondary option. They may not stop
you from getting the coronavirus, but they will help slow the speed in which it
spreads.
If you are like the many who would like to sew masks; there
are several different mask patterns/instructions available for free on the internet.
Most are simple, fast, and easy to understand:
Even the CDC have some tutorials on to make cloth face coverings.
If you are looking for a place to donate masks https://www.masksforheroes.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/millionmaskchallenge/
are constantly updating the hospitals that are currently requesting masks.
Here at Quilters Dream Batting, we are so inspired by the number of quilters who are trying to make a difference. Whether you are making one mask or one thousand, we applaud you for helping stop the spread of this virus.
Please stay home if possible, be safe, and keeping sewing!
The Dream Team (Jane, Neva, Erin S, Erin D, Jennifer, and
Gina)
