Make a Mask for Us And Your Family Too – Situation Saturday

This Situation Saturday, Springbrook needs your help! We are sure you know that there is a nationwide shortage of critical personal protective equipment [PPE] for essential healthcare workers. Springbrook’s Direct Support Professionals are essential healthcare workers—delivering supports throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. To manage our supply of medical-grade PPE for times when it becomes critically necessary for our DSPs, we would like to supply our staff with homemade masks. And, while you are making masks to support our amazing DSPs, make a set for your family too! The CDC has now recommended that we all wear masks when in public.

Here is a little about homemade masks. Homemade masks do not offer the same level of protection from contracting COVID-19 as medical PPE. However, they can help people from unknowingly transmitting the virus if they are asymptomatic. Wearing a mask is also a great reminder not to touch your face. It is also important to remember that facial hair (especially beards) keeps all masks from providing the tightest seal possible.

So, are you ready to make some masks!? You will need the following materials, preshrunk 100% cotton of a tight weave, an elastic band or hair ties, scissors, and a sewing machine. If you don’t have a sewing machine or elastic bands, you can also make a “no-sew” mask. Send your donations to:

Michelle Murdock, Development Coordinator, Springbrook
105 Campus Drive
Oneonta, NY 13820.

If you live nearby, you can place your donation in drop-off boxes at The Springbrook Family Engagement Center on our Main Campus in Portlandville and our Oneonta Community Campus on State Route 7, next to Brooks BBQ, and in Norwich at our Dayhab location, 34-36 S Broad Street, next to Nina’s.

Here is a video tutorial of how to make a mask with a sewing machine:

Thank you in advance for your help!