Mask Makers to the Rescue

Facemasks (Photo: SB Bucket Brigade)

By edhat staff

Local residents and organizations are joining forces to create face masks for healthcare facilities and community members during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

The majority of people do not have masks and health officials are urging people to use cloth masks and not to purchase surgical or N95 masks to reserve them for hospitals.

The Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, a local nonprofit who formed after the 1/9 Debris Flow to help dig mud out of homes, has dropped their buckets and picked up sewing machines. 

They’re calling on anyone with sewing skills to make masks at home for a chance to win prizes in a campaign titled, “So You Think You Can Sew?” The contest runs through the end of the month where the sewers who create the most masks can win t-shirts and prizes from local businesses. Visit sbbucketbrigade.org for more information.

Another local group, SB Mask Makers, are also sewing masks for residents and the homeless population. The volunteer group is asking for a donation of materials and volunteers to complete their goal of dropping off masks to local homes.

To donate or volunteer, visit sbmaskmakers.com.