From Tambra Jones, Executive Director, Specialty Sleep Association
Every one of us is participating in an event that will be paramount in history books from this point on. A real-life pandemic. We are witnessing new data, new collection points and the analysis thereof in real-time. Most of us are working with smaller crews, or from home. Some of us are not working at all right now.
So what can we do to help besides the necessary social-distancing and extra hygiene?
We can make masks for the people who are boots-on-the-ground. Hospital staffers, first responders and staff manning (and womanning) posts in open businesses are in sore need of more masks. They are calling for help – from industrial sewers as well as home sewers. In our industry – WE CAN DEFINITELY HELP keep essential staffers safer.
I saw a write-up in the press about how Stuart Carlitz at Eclipse/Eastman House is converting his mattress factory into one that will produce masks, both surgical and N95 masks. “ECLIPSE INTERNATIONAL WILL PRODUCE & DONATE INITIAL 38,000 MEDICAL MASKS FROM NEW JERSEY FACILITY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC”. Of course these will not have the FDA stamp of approval – there is not time for that - and Stuart told me his local hospital does not care. “They will use these masks where they are appropriate, and they are very grateful for what we will donate,” said Stuart, who also reached out to all of his licensees so that they may begin working with their own community hospitals if they so choose. Click here to check out the video Stuart and his Eclipse team created to show their mask-making process.
Angela Owen, SSA Board Member and President of Suite Sleep, is in communication with her local hospital in Boulder to make masks and gowns using her sewing team and fabric on hand in her small factory. “I’d like to partner with a non-wovens supplier for materials so that I can supply the appropriate specifications,” she said.
Here are a few articles showing how others are stepping up to the plate in this regard as well. “Furniture industry steps up to ‘face’ COVID-19”. ISPA has also reported that some of their members are mobilizing to help. “ISPA says its members are helping to meet coronavirus supply needs”. This ISPA notice points to a page on their website dedicated specifically for How To’s in helping with the COVID-19 supply chain. And outside our industry – factories are contacting their local hospitals to lend a hand, “DIY Face Masks – Update!”
Those who do not have factories to convert can also help. There are several groups who have patterns and kits for home-sewers. There is a group called Crafters Against Covid-19 Seattle who are organizing materials for kits to send to home-sewers. Also a group called Sew to Fight Covid-19 in South Bed, IN is actually building a system, a step-by-step guide for producing the kinds of N95 barrier products that really work for health-care workers. I spent half an hour on the phone with their project manager – and this is exciting stuff! Stay tuned, this is something we will be continuing to monitor.
I called my local hospital and am waiting for a call-back advising what their specs are, and if they are working with somebody who could use my help. I’ll advise how this process goes for me.
So yeah my friends, we are witnessing a pandemic. I had to look up the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic. It’s about scope essentially. Does the outbreak remain in one area? Does the method of transmission fall into a geographic model? The Zika virus outbreak was defined as an epidemic. The Ebola outbreak was defined as an epidemic. Although the SARS virus outbreak did reach outside Asia, it was associated with travel from affected areas – and was defined as an epidemic. If you are interested in this aspect, Vanessa Caceres wrote an excellent piece explaining this for U.S. News.
The COVID-19 is now a pandemic. Its scope is worldwide. Its transmission is being studied on the fly. Who is infected? Can we really tell? There are not enough tests to check everybody – and some sources say that the tests that are being used are not as accurate as they hoped they would be. We are watching the science unfold right in front of our eyes. With the internet and global information systems at our fingertips, we are watching as data comes in and gets plugged into formulas and hypotheses and real-time treatments.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, helpless, and of course worried. It could very well be that getting busy making things that will help the professionals who are working to keep their fingers in this dike, is the best medicine for us. To be helpful, helps the helper and the helped…!
I’m going to get involved in sewing some masks - at whatever level is most appropriate. Who’s with me? If you have questions about how to get started with helping in your own community, contact me and I’ll tell you what I know.
We are wishing you only good things. Stay positive. Stay safe. Stay well.
Contact:
Tambra Jones
Executive Director
SPECIALTY SLEEP ASSOCIATION
tambra@sleepinformation.org
559-868-4187
559-676-8639 mobile
www.sleepinformation.org