Winnebago County Asks for Help Making Masks for Essential Workers

News sources all across the country are reporting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the federal government are heavily considering advising everyone to wear face masks in public. If they do officially issue this advisory, this will put more of a strain on an already extremely serious shortage of face masks in this both locally and nationwide. This is where you and I come in.

Medical officials from Winnebago County Health Department are asking for the public's help making facial masks for essential workers in the Rockford area to wear. These DIY face masks would NOT be used by medical staff, but by the brave people working at grocery stores and other essential businesses throughout the Stateline.

According to WREX, Dr. Sandra Martell from the Winnebago County Health Department said;

These are not for health care workers -- these are people working essential businesses that we've deemed as needing -- grocery services, delivery services, and the use of what we call personal or cloth masks. Masks made by residents of our community. So we are going to be putting out a request for community members to help us make masks for our essential workers who are not healthcare providers

If you are willing to help this cause, Winnebago County health officials are asking that you follow certain guidelines when making the masks:

• Masks need to tightly enclose the area around the nose and mouth, from the bridge of the nose down to the chin, and need to extend onto the cheek beyond the corners of the mouth, so that no gaps occur when talking or moving.
• Use a material that is tightly woven but breathable. (Double-layer fabric is best). Material used also needs to be washable, able to handle high temperatures without shrinking or deforming, and be able to handle a lot of moisture from breath.

For more guidelines to follow, and instructional videos of how to make the masks, please follow these links from the Minnesota Department of Health and Nebraska Medicine. 

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