A Note Regarding Community Quilters
I have received a couple of inquiries from members regarding a national shortage of masks during this Covid 19 crisis and if it would be a good idea for all of us to be making a “DIY“ version. I have done extensive research on the Internet in an attempt to determine the effectiveness and practicality of doing this. There are some hospitals nationally, Deaconess and Cambridge for example, that have put out a request to have a sewn version of a surgical mask made at home. Just today, the CDC is now recommending that staff on the front line facing a shortage might consider using a handkerchief or a bandanna. There are many, many tutorials on YouTube, Facebook, etc. on how to construct these, but you need to be aware that any “DIY“ masks have an effective rate of somewhere between 50 to 65%, not near as good as a commercially produced surgical mask, but certainly better than nothing. I’ve been in contact with a representative at the local hospital. As of this moment, there are no confirmed cases of this virus in our county, and so I was told there is no need to be making masks at this time.
I completely understand, appreciate and congratulate the need in us as quilters to be doing something, anything, that we can during this very trying and unsettling time. The needs in our community that have always been there, are still there. Perhaps even more so when people are pretty much confined to home, and are becoming anxious and depressed. I am sure there will be a significant increase in family turmoil. Children are anxious more than ever before and need comfort. I encourage you all to spend this time making quilts, burp rags, receiving blankets, pillow cases, and all the other things we have been making for a while. In compliance with the request from our governor, community quilters regular meeting in April has been canceled. However, I am happy to come and pick up up any items when you have completed your portion, and/or deliver another project to you.