Local Medical Workers Ask Others to Donate Face Masks or Even Sew Them

If you are like me, you have wondered and/or learned in the past few days what the abbreviation PPE means. It stands for Personal Protective Equipment – like the gloves, masks and other items that medical workers need while attending to the many people suddenly getting tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19). You may have heard in the news that there has been some difficulty with coming up with supplies to keep our medical professionals literally covered.

There are a few local efforts to help with the demand – for masks at least – whether that means donating from your supply or just making them yourself.

One local healthcare worker received a random donation of a box of masks. Isobel Balch encourages others to donate what they have as well. You can take your donation to your favorite medical facility or medical professional, but Balch said that you can drop off a donation at the entrance of the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church in Bryant. The church address is 508 N Reynolds Rd, Bryant, AR 72022. Click the map below to enlarge, then see below that for what else people are doing.

 

Maybe you don’t have face masks just laying around that you can donate. Some local folks are just making them. Sonia Meyer, owner of Arkansas Medical Staffing, told MySaline on Saturday that there is a set of instructions online that accomplished sewers (is that the right word?) can use to make the masks. Scroll down for the picture of the instructions. The business is even willing to help pay for materials.

“Arkansas Medical Staffing will donate $500 or more if needed for reimbursement of fabric,” stated Meyer. “We are working with local businesses for drop off locations for your convenience and to comply with social distancing as well as foot traffic to the facilities in need.”

You can email [email protected] when your mask(s) are completed, OR use the following drop-off locations:

• Arkansas Medical Staffing: 11701 I-30 Suite 308 Little Rock, AR (Across the interstate from Bass Pro Shop) Mon-Fri 8a-2p
• The Osage: 1110 Ferguson Dr. Benton, AR 72015 Mon-Thurs. 2p-6p
• The Oil Shop: 113 N. Market Street, Benton, AR 72015 Tues-Fri. 10a-6p & Sat. 10a-4p

Go to the Facebook post to see examples of face masks that were made with the instructions below, and see a video links in the comments.

Lastly, yet Haskell resident is showing her progress at sewing the masks. Kerin Smith, a medical professional herself, has been using time away from her office to hone her crafty side.