‘Masked Mommas’ helping with mask shortage
Stuck at home, wondering what to do?
A small group of Putnam County women may be at home, but they certainly aren’t lacking for a productive way to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calling themselves the “Masked Mommas,” this group of women is using its sewing abilities to help fight the shortage of masks that workers and patients in healthcare facilities and other locations are facing during the coronavirus outbreak.
Word has gotten out about what they’re doing and the response has been great.
“I thought we would make like 20 masks, but the need is a lot bigger,” Amy Clark said. “We have all the nursing homes, home healthcare, OBGYN clinics. We have places out of county asking.”
As of Wednesday, it was a group of 11 women — six meeting together in Clark’s basement, Rashell Harcourt and Yolanda Goodpaster working together, as well as Rebecca Arnold, Lindsey Fenwick and Jana Boggess working individually.
They’re making great strides, but they aren’t keeping up with demand.
“With the few women we have, we know we’re going to need more,” Clark said.
So, the Masked Mommas are looking for help from other seamstresses. Men who don’t mind being called “Momma” are also welcome.
They would also welcome donations of supplies such as fabric and especially elastic, as many stores have run out of the 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch elastic needed for many of these masks.
Clark’s Facebook page, however, also has a video of how to make the masks without elastic.
Anyone wanting to help in any way is invited to contact Amy Clark at 720-7590, Lindsey Fenwick at 720-3182 or Rashell Harcourt at 721-7692.
To learn more, search Amy Buchanan Clark on Facebook.