‘Cottage industry’ of volunteers making face masks to protect NHS staff

A ‘cottage industry’ has been started on the Rosneath Peninsula making face masks to protect against the coronavirus.

With protective equipment in desperately short supply during the coronavirus pandemic, the completed masks are being given to frontline NHS staff.

Although the effort only started two days ago, 17 completed masks have already been handed over, with six more given to volunteers as samples.

Work is in progress to supply Kilcreggan medical centre and another 20 masks have been requested by other local NHS staff.

Six people are sewing the masks as part of the main supply chain – plus others from the Peninsula Coronavirus Support & Assistance Facebook group – while three people are washing and cutting fabric and elastic, then making up packs with all materials needed as well as printed instructions.

Each pack has everything needed to make ten masks and these are available on request to anyone who wants one.

Carol Anne Calder, who lives in Cove, said: “Now we have our supply chain set up, our intention is to make as many as we can over the next week or so and reach out to other essential workers to offer these, as well as to place some in community stores to be offered for free to anyone who wants one (with a note emphasising safety e.g. wash again at home before use, continue washing hands, avoid touching mask while wearing it etc.)

“Huge thanks to everyone who’s already joined this community effort – sewers, cutters, testers and runnerabooters.”

Contact Carol Anne via the Facebook group or by emailing cacalder@sbcglobal.net if:

• You want to join the sewing team and/or need materials (fabric, elastic, or a full pack with everything you need to make 10 masks).
• You would be happy to prep materials or help getting materials to people sewing around the peninsula (while out for your daily exercise or necessary shopping).
• You have cotton fabric you would like to donate to this effort.
• You are a local business and you’d like a supply of masks for your staff or to offer your customers.
• You are making masks on your own based on my original post and want to let us know where you plan to distribute these so we can coordinate efforts (only if you want to – no pressure).
• You have other suggestions on how/where masks should be distributed.

A guide to making face masks is also available here: How-to-make-a-Face-Mask