SewAMask.com is launched to bridge the supply gap for medical masks in response to COVID-19

ATLANTA, 24 Mar 2020: As hospitals around the country experience critical shortages of face masks, healthcare facilities are scrambling to comply with CDC best practices for the use of protective equipment in caring for patients with COVID-19. Now, Celine Lazarus, DVM, and Vanessa Engineer, M.D., along with their husbands, Chris Lazarus and Abhi Golhar, have started an initiative to bring together the sewing and quilting communities with healthcare workers in need of masks.

At its website, SewAMask.org, their organization is urging crafty individuals to "Sew for America!" while also taking requests for their fabric masks from the medical community. The provided mask pattern is made and tested by Celine Lazarus. Importance was placed on readily-available materials and construction that can withstand repeated use of a medical-grade autoclave.

According to the CDC, fabric masks are an appropriate crisis response when other sources of disposable masks have been exhausted. CDC guidelines suggest the use of face masks (when available) when utilizing fabric masks. In order to help protect healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 and impacted by shortages of standard equipment, SewAMask.org is enlisting a volunteer army to sew, distribute, and manage requests for their homemade masks.

Reuters reports that in Seattle, some healthcare providers have taken to making their own facemasks on the fly out of whatever material is available, including plastic sheeting. Particularly hard-hit states, like New York, have called on manufacturers to turn their normal production lines into medical equipment facilities.

SewAMask.org seeks to bridge the supply chain gap until shortages are relieved, providing much-needed help to those who are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact.

Healthcare workers, sewing or quilting enthusiasts, or volunteers wishing to help facilitate the creation and distribution of these fabric face masks should visit www.sewamask.org to sign up to help or to request masks.

For further information or press inquiries, contact Abhi Golhar, Support@sewamask.org.
SewAMask.org
c/o Sellect Realty
4180 Providence Rd #200
Marietta, GA 30062

SewAMask.org brings together home sewers and quilters to benefit the frontline healthcare community and alleviate critical supply shortages.

This release was published on openPR.