When a shortage in face masks during a crisis breeds creativity and generosity
Unless you have been living under a rock, you are more than aware of #COVID19. For most, our day-to-day lives have been turned upside down. In the midst of this crisis, medical supplies are in short supply, leaving many with a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to take care of themselves and those around them. This situation has ignited a creative flame within individuals all across the country to help Healthcare professionals, and anyone else in need, stay safe from #COVID19.
BMKD interviewed a few of those selfless individuals to ask them a few questions about what inspires them and what others can do to help.
Mr. Ken Parker
Occupation: Retired Industrial Engineer, Registered Nurse
Location: New Jersey
Ken Parker working hard at his home-office in NJ.
Ken Parker has lived a full life. He is a former Marine and industrial engineer, and currently a registered nurse. At a young age he learned to cook and use a sewing machine. It’s not surprising that today, he still follows these ideals. Ken, like many others, is using his free time to help his local community stay safe by creating custom face masks. He was inspired to take action after a few conversations with neighbors about a lack of simple face masks to help protect themselves. Watch Ken's video below:
Find out from your neighbors or friends if they need face masks... if they do, you have a job to do.
– Ken Parker
Melissa Binari
Occupation: Artist
Location: New York
A sample of Melissa’s work online.
Melissa Binari, a 28-year-old artist living in Brooklyn, was looking to add a new skill to her creative toolkit—sewing. But then all of our priorities changed. Her mother, a nurse, reached out to her desperate for face masks. Unsurprisingly, she jumped at the chance to mix her creative spirit with her wish to be of service in a time of need.
As an artist, it has always energized me to discover ways of bridging the gap between making things and contributing to a collective greater good.
– Melissa Binari
Using a YouTube video as her guide, pre-cut cotton fabric samples, a roll of white elastic, and a few tools she found around the house, she got to work. Each of her handmade creations takes about 30-45 minutes to make, but the rewards are endless. Melissa believes every mask she makes helps her fight feelings of isolation, gives meaning to her service, and connects her with the world in a truly special way. To check out some of Melissa's art click here.
Dr. Calin Neagoe
Occupation: Family Physician/Urgent Care
Location: Massachusetts
Dr. Neagoe realized immediately that there was something he could do to help himself and others after seeing a Facebook post from a company, Lowell Makes. They are a non-profit group of local artists and other thinkers who work together to provide tools and learning resources to the public. Their open-source files are providing people all around the world the tools to make 3-D printed face masks.
A sample of Dr. Calin Neagoe’s 3-D printed masks.
I strongly recommend others who have 3D printers to follow the open-source PPE movement online.
– Dr. Calin Neagoe
Each mask takes about 6-7 hours to make, including printing, cutting out air filters and elastic bands, and assembly. As a healthcare professional, he does worry about the quality of the masks he makes, hoping that they are good enough to make a difference. Given his busy schedule, his limited resources, and the time it takes to make each mask, Dr. Neagoe doesn’t have the capacity to go into full-scale production. And until there is an FDA-approved design, Dr. Neagoe recommends only making them for personal use.
Make the best use of this quarantine to emerge if not with a new skill, at least with a better understanding and perspective of the world we live in. Figuratively speaking, when we are all cleared to go outside again, let’s step out on the right foot and strive to make this world better than it was when we last closed the door on it. For now, follow CDC/WHO guidelines and stay the f' at home!
– Dr. Calin Neagoe
There are countless ways you can help. Having trouble figuring out where to start? How about making a monetary donation to help supply Healthcare Providers with life-saving PPE? Or you can donate your unused PPE to the cause. Every little bit helps.
It is important to both remember to take care of ourselves, and find ways to help others that are unique to our own individual abilities.
– Melissa Binari
Note: Masks are not FDA or NIOSH approved N-95 replacements.
References
- https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/3d-printing-medical-devices/faqs-3d-printing-medical-devices-accessories-components-and-parts-during-covid-19-pandemic
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcMhjFNEqCo
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html
- https://www.donateppe.org/
- https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-ppe