During COVID-19 pandemic, local hands step up to fill the PPE void
- Kara Savas
- 19 Apr 2020
While the first few weeks of social distancing may have been a great opportunity to relax, catch up on projects, or attempt to navigate the information overload we’ve been faced with in these uncertain COVID-19 times, by now, whatever lustre was there (if at all) has likely worn off. Let’s face it — we miss our friends, our families, and our daily routines that often include simple yet sorely missed activities.
It’s easy to get frustrated by our circumstances and how restrained we are by them. For me, this all didn’t seem real until a month ago, when my family and I were told that we could no longer visit my dad in St. Peter’s Hospital in Palliative Care. He had been there since November of 2019, and had been battling Stage 4 Glioblastoma since July of 2017. While this was arguably one of the most gut-wrenching days of our caregiver journey thus far, we completely understood the reasons for the closure. Ultimately, it was for the protection of patients and the protection of the hospital staff. They had given him excellent care and had been wonderful supports for us, so despite the feeling of heartbreak, we knew that the best way we could show our gratitude to his nurses was to stay home.
In the days that followed, I connected with a close friend of mine – Carolina – who, like me, was struggling with feelings of anxiety and helplessness as we were told that the best way we could help was to stay home. This is not what people like us do very well; we have a hard time sitting on the sidelines when we want to get our hands dirty. We felt immensely guilty knowing that the burdens of so many are being laid on the backs of frontline workers while we are comfortable in our homes. We felt nervous at the thought of our parents and grandparents having to exist through this COVID-19 pandemic alone, isolated from the world, when this must all be such a scary event for them to witness. We felt angry at stories of PPE shortages in hospitals, of garbage workers having to appeal for extra protections, at shoppers not abiding by social distancing directives and putting grocery workers at risk. Carolina also shared that her father was becoming increasingly nervous about having to continue working in a factory, with an asthmatic condition, without any kind of face protection to keep him safe.
In light of the need to help put her father’s mind at ease, and also hearing about the staff at St. Peter’s Hospital needing to close off visiting hours to protect themselves and patients, Carolina took it upon herself to use her skills to fill an increasing need in Hamilton. She’s a sewer by trade, and her mother, Esther, owns and operates Unique Alterations. It’s here where the idea to begin making face masks for frontline workers was born.
Knowing that COVID-19 is transmitted via water droplets (like sneezing and coughing), she set to work researching what material is the most effective in protecting against moisture and water droplets. She discovered that wet/dry vacuum bags provide better protection than regular cloth in this regard (ICYMI, some frontline staff are being told to wear scarves and bandanas as masks due to the shortage). While knowing that she wouldn’t be able to produce the medical grade masks that provide the highest protection, Carolina knew that masks made of this material would surely be better than a scarf, a bandana, or a reused disposable mask.
Upon learning about her initiative, I immediately asked how I could help (I can barely stitch a button on a shirt, but surely there was some way I could be useful). Turns out, these vacuum bags are not cheap, and she had already fielded orders for nurses, a corrections officer, and grocery store clerks. So, I set about connecting with family, friends, and friends of friends in search of donations for the vacuum bag materials, and coordinating deliveries. The option of ordering the material through Home Depot or Amazon, and then shipping directly to Carolina, was also given. We wanted to ensure that all donors and those seeking masks knew that this was completely not for profit, was free to frontline workers, and that all materials are a result of generous donations, including Carolina’s labour and any deliveries made. We knew that there were many others out there like us who felt helpless in such a critical time, and would be eager to help in any way they could.
Within one day, the response was overwhelming — both from donors, and from people seeking out face masks. Carolina and I were both excited by the amount of donors (faith in humanity restored!), and shocked by just how deep this shortage has run. Everyday people in occupations that are so often taken for granted, who are now deemed too essential to be able to stay home with their loved ones, were reaching out to strangers like us for help.
The first day, orders were filled for grocery clerks, corrections officers, an elder needing to attend important appointments in hospital, caregivers, and truck drivers. The second day was devoted entirely to orders for veterinary clinic staff and doctors, as well as Hamilton General Hospital ICU nurses. Beyond that were orders for food production line workers, PSWs, sanitation workers, nurses, and delivery men. We had requests from workers as far as Haldimand-Norfolk. Some workers requested a standing order, as they anticipated the shortage was only going to get worse.
At one point, we had frontline staff orders totaling 400 and climbing. Needless to say, the demand is there and we were going to do whatever we could to meet it, but none of this could be handled completely in-house. We relied on the generosity of donors like Nova Sewing Centre, who donated the elastic that’s been used for the ear loops. We relied on the monetary and material donations of our family, friends, friends of friends, and coworkers, who understood that the comforts we have continued to have during this pandemic come at the high risk of infection and death for so many essential frontline workers. We relied on helpers in the sewing community who reached out to us, knowing that there is strength in numbers.
Most significantly, we were able to connect with Joe Camillo of Niko Apparel Systems, a local clothing design and manufacturing company, who we learned was in the early stages of mask production. When it became apparent that the demand was becoming far too great, we had begun sourcing out local factories who had the space and resources, as well as skilled staff who were willing and able to help take over large mask orders. The huge added bonus was learning from Joe that Niko was working with McMaster University engineers and Hamilton Health Sciences on prototypes for medically certified masks. He explained that while this can be a lengthy process, they are on the right track and once up and running, will be able to produce thousands of medically certified masks per week.
While waiting for approval, Joe confirmed that they are still able to make non-medical masks for frontline workers in need. This has been a great relief for local sewists and frontline workers alike, as the demand for PPE locally is only growing; Niko Apparel has certainly heeded this important call. We are grateful to them for agreeing to be a point of contact for those in need of masks as this demand grows.
In Grade 10 History class, we learned about the many Canadians who stepped up during the war efforts to fight for and protect our country on the frontlines. We learned about those here at home who also stepped up in place of so many who had to vacate their jobs to fight; you might remember this as the birth of so many movements and freedoms that we now enjoy today. Years from now, we will remember where we were and what we did during this COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, we have the means to connect, support, and at the very least, express our thanks and appreciation for those who are fighting the good fight on our behalf.
Keep finding safe ways to show your gratitude for frontline workers, however small it may seem (window signs, safe porch drop offs, participating in Thank You Hour, abiding by the physical distancing directives). Be grateful for and support local companies who are helping out during this difficult time, like Niko Apparel and so many others who are doing the work that so many of us cannot. And if you are reading this from the comfort and safety of your home, be grateful for that too. Stay on the sunny side of the street (6 feet away from everyone, of course), and we will get through this together.
If you are looking for ways you can support or donate, or if you are a frontline worker rep in need of masks, please email info@nikoapparel.ca
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