Title

How to Make a Face Mask

Creation Date

2020

Description

"When the COVID-19 lockdowns began in late March 2020, hospitals asked people to sew masks. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was in very short supply and medical personnel were having to reuse masks. Allina Health Systems (Mercy and Unity hospitals are part of the Allina system) sent out a pattern for making masks at home. My daughter-in-law, Pam Wendel, works for Allina and sent the pattern on to me, asking if I'd sew some masks. I shared the pattern with many people as nearly everyone I knew who sewed was willing to make, use, and donate masks. Since I sew quilts, I had fabric, but it was not long until elastic was sold out everywhere. I made a fair number of tiw masks when I had no elastic. I asked everyone who might have a stash of elastic and traded finished masks for whatever elastic they had. I made more than 200 masks. I lost track of exactly how many, but I was over 200 for sure when I lost count. The first masks I made were for family and friends to use. When I finished more, they were donated to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, Hennepin County Medical Center (where my daughter works), and Abiding Savior Lutheran Church for distribution to anyone who needed a mask."

Geographic Notes

Allina Health System Hospitals
Coon Rapids, MN

Geographic Names

Coon Rapids, Anoka, Minnesota, United States, NA [45.11997,-93.28773] [id:5022025]