Many people are affected by COVID-19, especially those who are in the medical and healthcare field. These professionals are risking their lives everyday to help those who need care. A simple yet effective way to aid their efforts is to create masks. Since there has been a shortage of personal protective equipment, many people have stepped up and started making masks for these workers.
Two of our Martians have aided in relief efforts by creating masks for medical professionals and healthcare workers. Below are details describing Anjana and Aparna’s mask making efforts.
Why mask making?
Anjana’s daughters’ school Key Club coordinator initiated their efforts to making masks. Helping the community was a great opportunity for Anjana and her daughter to give back and assist those who really need it.
Aparna has always volunteered any way she can. With the current COVID-19 situation, it has made her realize that this is a good opportunity to teach her children how important it is to help and give back to society. She also has a few friends who are doctors and felt that the medical professionals have suffered and deserve to be safe and healthy for the betterment of the entire society.
What was the process for making masks?
Anjana’s mask making process is simple. The materials used include dry Clorox wipes and rubber bands. The masks were sewn by hand.
Aparna and her family followed an instructional video online given by United Way in which they used a pair of scissors, treated perforated tissue paper folds as an organ (the instrument), then cut and attached it with rubber bands.
How were they sent?
Anjana and her daughter dropped the masks off at her daughter’s school.
Aparna dropped them off at a location provided by United Way. A completed form with all her information was adhered on the box.
How many masks have been made?
Anjana, her daughter, Aparna, and her family combined have contributed 1,400 masks so far.
How has mask making efforts affected you?
Anjana states, “It was a family project. Given the circumstances, we thought we were helpless. It made us contribute in our own way and to reach out to people and provide help in a small way. It was a great idea for the teacher to reach out to the school families and have the families do this.”
Aparna states, “It has given me a sense of fulfillment. Helping the ones who in turn are helping us stay safe and healthy. This is a time of test for all of us as humans and being a human makes it our responsibility to help out in whatever little ways we can, not now but always.”
Thank you to all healthcare workers, medical providers, community members, and others who are working to keep us safe
