Small Steps Big Journeys

So… I rarely use my blog space just for jotting down my thoughts—most of my posts are recipes, DIY’s, or tips and project progress. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel so this post is decidedly NOT a DIY facemask post, but is rather a collection of information and resources out there to help those who are looking to make a small difference.

It’s been about a week since the stay-at-home in NY came down. With the dojo closed (for now) with no solid reopening date, I’ve just been going stir crazy at home. I hate the feeling of helplessness that comes with this, even though I know I’m doing my part by limiting our time outside. I worry about my parents, my sister, my husband and children, my grandfather, my friends and their families. I am a worrier by nature and this basically hits all of my buttons. I worry so much my dreams are now all anxiety related—even if it’s somewhat hilarious that my anxiety dreams comprise mostly of finding tiny animals and trying to gather them all up, but failing. I’ve stuffed more dream chicks and ducklings (and in one very strange case, pocket sized shiba dogs) down my shirt this week than any other in recent times. I found newly sprouted grey hair, which I didn’t have before this.

Since I realized this anxiety is decidedly not healthy, I ended up putting my energy into a project that could make a small shred of difference during these difficult times. To me, homesteading and becoming self sufficient also means being able to innovate, adapt, create, build, and provide for ourselves and others in a time of need.

I’ve been sewing face masks out of a large bag of scrap cloth my mom gave me, and giving them to healthcare workers who request them. Their situation is dire—they are running out of supplies at their hospitals with no idea when and how they’re going to get more. 3M and Honeywell (makers of N95 masks) say they are ramping up production and shipments should be coming in this week. But if they don’t or if they will still be rationed (healthcare workers are now forced to reuse theirs), then they might still need some extra help.

At the time of writing this, I’ve sent out a total of 6 batches, with about 50 masks total. Later today, an EMT is going to pick up a batch for their unit in Port Jeff, which is north of me. I intend to keep going until I run out of material. Originally, I was making CDC compliant face masks which is 2 layers, and no place for nose wires or filters. I added on a place to put a removable nose wire (which they can take out during washing and sanitize separately, or throw out and put pipe cleaners/twist ties in, paper clips), a place to put a filter layer, and now instead of elastic ear bands, providing loops for them to use cloth ties that can be adjusted to go around their heads.

Below, I’m listing resources and places where you can find how to make them and where to send them.

1. ***These are NOT meant to replace N95’s but are a worst case scenario, or can help extend the life of N95’s. They are also helpful for health care workers that don’t work directly with Covid19 patients such as veterinarians, home health care workers, police officers, chemo facilities etc. who might be low priority for PPE.
2. Follow MillionMaskChallenge on Instagram and join their Facebook group. They have the patterns as well as blast out requests for home made masks from hospitals and health care workers. There are location specific groups as well.
3. Read up on the CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html
4. Here is a list of common household materials, their breathability and their ability to filter out particles: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/
5. Before donating to a hospital or other healthcare facility, please make sure your pattern is one that is accepted. Some healthcare settings are requesting specific patterns and material!
6. Some facilities are now requesting cloth scrub caps/surgical bouffants, as well as cloth gowns. Headbands with buttons on the sides so they can put their mask elastic over that rather than their ears have now shown up as requests as well.

Some hospitals aren’t yet accepting, while others are calling for thousands of hand sewn units so don’t be disheartened if the first one you try won’t take them. Please also don’t forget about your postal workers, police officers, veterinarians, home aides, nursing homes, and other essential workers who, while not working directly with COVID19 patients, are keeping our world going.

In the last few days I have been moved by the amount of people who are trying their best to make a little difference and know there is good in the world.

We’ll get through this.

I got a little present in my mailbox from the Port Jeff EMS and it means everything to me.