Masks for all who want them

In March the CDC advised the general public against wearing masks, insisting masks could not prevent the spread of coronavirus. At the same time, media and medical experts urged people to save dwindling inventories of masks for front line health care workers, especially precious N95 respirator masks.

Despite early CDC advice, the folks behind https://www.maskssavelives.org/ promoted universal mask wearing to protect everyone, citing South Korea’s stats to back up their position. By early April the CDC acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to support a change in guidance.

Since then several states have adopted mask requirements. Winston Salem and Greensboro, among many other communities, have taken bold steps to provide masks to residents, focusing initial efforts on vulnerable populations.  

  

The Masks Now organization is a coalition of volunteers helping to create and deliver home crafted masks to hospitals in need around the country. Their logo features an adaptation of the iconic Rosie the Riveter wearing a mask.

Masks Now logo

Though surgical masks and N95 ventilator masks are still in short supply, anyone can buy or sell handcrafted fabric masks through Etsy. There are multiple sources for chic, fashion forward, and novelty masks.

I purchased four washable cotton masks for Greg and me from Kelly Mock, the daughter of a friend. She utilized a heavy plaid flannel fabric generously sized for full coverage yet easy to breathe through. The tie string is long, black and stretchy like a boot sized elastic shoelace. Her pattern includes pockets for replaceable filters and wire inserts for a better fit around the nose. We use blue shop towels for filters since Greg had a few rolls left over from when he owned an automotive repair business. A friend living at Carolina Beach purchased her blue shop towels from a local auto parts store which she said was faster and cheaper than purchasing online. Before cleaning the masks I pulled out and tossed the paper towel filters and then removed the wire inserts with tweezers for reuse later. I placed the masks inside a lingerie bag and washed them on a sanitize cycle with towels. After drying the masks with the towels in our electric clothes dryer, I re-inserted the wire into the nose pockets and folded new blue shop towels to insert into the filter pockets. The clean masks are stored in a plastic zip top bag until we need them. You can see samples of Kelly’s handiwork and contact her via Instagram at misskellymock. Also, there is a photo of me wearing a mask below toward the end of this post. 

Wearing a mask for prolonged periods of time can be irritating to skin, as evidenced by Dove beauty bar’s campaign to salute health care workers, as well as a myriad of posts on social media. One doc found a creative way to protect his ears by utilizing a Spider Man action figure to fasten his mask elastic bands.

photo of Spider Man action figure holding mask

As people around the world contemplate wearing masks to protect themselves from infections, the Daily Show’s Trevor Noah thinks African Americans are faced with more complicated decisions compared to the rest of us.

Daily Show meme of black man wearing mask with white face printed on it

  

Doubtful of CDC and state recommendations, some people still don’t believe masks are helpful. President Trump refuses to wear a mask despite his wife Melania’s efforts to promote masks as a health precaution. The majority of protesters tend to agree with the  president.

photo of defiant protester

Masks will likely continue to be in the news for a while longer, as evident by the headlines below:

• Face mask do’s and don’ts.
• FEMA reportedly seized 5 million face masks intended for veterans, moved to stockpile.
• FL Gov DeSantis does not know how to properly wear a mask or gloves.
• How often to wash a fabric face mask.
• How to make a no-sew mask from a T-shirt or handkerchief.
• How to wear a face mask without fogging up your glasses.
• Lego retooled to make PPE face shields. 
• Michaels donated $1 million worth of fabric to help crafters make masks.
• US accused of piracy in Berlin over masks confiscated in Bangkok. 
• US Surgeon General Jerome Adams demonstrated how to make your own cloth face covering.
• Using blue shop towels in home crafted masks filter particles better than cotton.

In the spirit of sharing softer news and/or silly vibes:

• SGN episode 5:  Some Good News potluck with John Krasinski.
• Somendra’s quick clay creations will amaze and delight.
• T-Rex Tuesday: dancing dinosaur delivers root beer in Vermont.

Daily pandemic update:  

Sydney's Bondi Beach and two neighbouring beaches have been reopened as the government of New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, began to loosen coronavirus restrictions. Countries including Australia, New Zealand, Iran and Spain moved to ease coronavirus lockdowns as daily infections and deaths slowed. However, the number of cases and deaths continue to increase for most countries around the world.  Aljazeera.com timeline

28 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
15:12 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	3,018,038	3,088,278	207,725	212,801	894,705	935,168
US	987,322	1,013,290	55,415	57,043	118,705	139,422
NY	293,696	293,696	22,365	22,365	31,943	31,943
CT	25,269	25,269	1,924	1,924	63	63
NC	8,987	9,279	324	327	1,472	1,472

*Documenting time of day because real time data updates continuously.
Tracking specific states:  NY is US epicenter, son Reid lives in CT, and I live in NC. Interesting to see no overnight change in NY and CT, likely due to data lag.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/     https://www.coronainusa.com/  

A moment of silence for those we’ve lost to coronavirus, including the first 100 in the US.

In the news:  

• Bill Gates offered his best case scenario for the economy.
• GA men drank cleaning products in attempt to stop spread of coronavirus.
• Mitch McConnell acknowledged most people prefer updates from Fauci and Birx rather than Trump.
• NCHS data showed US total deaths spiked well above coronavirus death counts during early months of pandemic, likely another example of data lag.
• Trump canceled then rescheduled Monday briefing; still needed fact check.
• Trump told governors to seriously consider reopening schools.

  

Following Kenny Beck’s lead to share a few signs of hope:

• Dress maker switched to making masks during shutdown.
• Families are using short form video app Tik Tok to cope during quarantine.
• Germany produced record solar power as skies cleared during lockdown.

In my personal life…

Monday turned out much better than I had anticipated it might when I woke up yesterday. After drinking a Carnation Instant Breakfast, I joined Greg for a leisurely drive through Yadkin County. The weather was nearly perfect except for a few strong gusts of wind. We chatted a little in the car but not much. Mostly I was mesmerized by lush green landscapes all around us and sunny Carolina blue sky above us as we meandered through the countryside. Our quiet time together was exceptionally enjoyable, almost tranquil.

Noticed a sign for DesiLu Photography and was so intrigued that I looked them up on my phone while Greg drove. Reading about owners David and Lauren Clark on their website I learned they live in a tiny house on wheels. They seem like a cool couple and their online photos are beautiful and fun storytelling works of art.

Our first stop was the Yadkin County courthouse where the DMV is located. Greg wanted to turn in the license plate tags from his 55 Chevy and truck so he could temporarily cancel insurance and save a little money during the crisis. He put on a mask and gloves before going inside. I waited in the car with the windows down so I could enjoy the fresh air. Saw a few people out and about downtown but no one wearing masks or gloves except for us. Greg was back in a flash, said there wasn’t anyone inside except the DMV clerks, neither of whom wore masks or gloves.

We continued driving. Next stop was the local branch of the State Employees Credit Union to cash two small checks. Noticed an antique fire truck parked next to a big bright red building; turned out to be Tractor Brown’s Museum and event center. We didn’t stop but might come back when rona is no longer a concern, assuming that day eventually comes.

I wanted to pick up some lettuce and marigolds while we were out so we did a Google maps search for “garden stores near me.” No good results popped up so next we tried “feed and seed stores near me” which yielded several options. The Courtney General Store looked the most promising so we headed that way. I breathed a sigh of relief as Greg pulled into the parking lot. The store was idyllic, exactly what I was hoping for.

I put on my mask and Greg waited patiently in the car as I browsed an impressive selection of live plants, carefully choosing a flat full of favorites. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed an older man staring at me while whispering to a younger man as they stifled chuckles. They were not remotely discreet. I was the only person wearing a mask so that was likely the reason. I continued shopping undeterred. The old man looked like he could have been a character on Duck Dynasty; perhaps he was the patriarch of the family who owned the store.

photo of me wearing a mask and gloves, taken at home prior to shopping

After selecting more plants than I had been looking for, I walked inside the store in search of seeds. The woman behind the counter seemed a bit surly so I looked around on my own before tentatively asking if she had any lettuce seeds. She said she did and offered to help me in a few minutes, after she finished helping a man standing nearby. I hadn’t noticed him until that moment so I apologized for interrupting and told her to take her time. I walked around the store a little more while waiting for my turn. An older couple approached the counter about the same time as me and I offered for them to go first since I wasn’t in a hurry. The older lady customer asked the store clerk, “How’s your mamma?” The clerk replied that her mom was well, had been in the store earlier in the morning but went home when shoppers began arriving. A few minutes later it was my turn.

The sales woman walked over to the seed selection area of the store and asked me which seeds I wanted and how much. I told her I wanted a variety of lettuce seeds in fairly small quantities so she offered ½ ounces of 4 different types. I agreed and thanked her for her help, then walked back toward the front counter to give her ample safe distance. Noticed Moon Pies near the register so I grabbed one for Greg and placed it next to my plants.

A man, perhaps the sales woman’s husband, stepped behind the cash register to ring up my purchases. He was the younger man who had been staring at me earlier, now looking at me with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he counted plants and made small talk. I told him I knew I looked ridiculous wearing a mask but would rather be safe than sorry. He smiled politely and said “yeah, you need to do what you need to do to protect yourself.” His wife overheard our conversation and added, “we wear masks and gloves when we go to the grocery store” which made me feel better, less self conscious. I told them I had a slight cough which was most likely allergies though I didn’t want to risk spreading any germs just in case it might be something else. The expression on the man’s face suddenly became more serious as he quickly and quietly pumped a generous sized glob of Purell. Then he winced as he said, “this stuff sure ain’t meant for people with cuts on their hands.” I bit my lip to keep from smiling as I thought about karma. 

The total was only $19 so I gave the man a $20 dollar bill and told him to keep the change. He smiled as he handed me back a dollar, told me to keep it since my purse was still open. I thanked them both and headed back to the car. Greg hopped out as soon as he saw me and popped the hatch on his Ford Focus for the plants. I gave him the Moon Pie as a thank you. He let me know he doesn’t like Moon Pies. Color me shocked! We have been married nearly 15 years and together as a couple almost 20. I thought I had witnessed him eat every snack food on the planet over the years but never noticed he avoided Moon Pies. That man never ceases to amaze me.

By now it was lunch time and we were both getting hungry. Greg wanted Boone Doggies but knew there would be a long wait behind dozens of other customers so we opted for Burger King drive thru instead. He ordered a plain Whopper with onion rings and a Sprite plus an Impossible Whopper (no cheese) with onion rings and a root beer for me. For what it’s worth, I eat regular meat hamburgers at home though enjoy plant based burgers just as much. We ate the onion rings in the car while they were hot and fresh and placed the bag of burgers on the sun soaked dash to keep warm during the drive home.  

After lunch I took a nap in the backyard hammock while Greg watched tv and did some laundry. Occasional wind gusts were a bit chilly so I moved the hammock into the sun for warmth, and I rolled up my t-shirt sleeves to avoid getting a farmer’s tan. Later I coaxed Greg outdoors to help me dig holes for our new plants. On the east side of the yard among fruit trees and blueberry bushes we planted watermelon, cantaloupe and zucchini. I sprinkled lettuce seeds in the front raised bed between some spinach and black seeded Simpson previously purchased from Myers Greenhouse. We planted the Brussels sprouts nearby. While Greg mowed the lawn I replaced a dead aster with English lavender. In the patio herb garden I planted a new citronella geranium mosquito plant where the lemon verbena had been last year. Also transplanted some lime mint into a terracotta pot and placed it next to our lemon balm. Planted a few marigolds where I could find space for them, then tidied up.

Minerva had been in her outdoor kennel most of the day while Greg and I ran errands and did chores. When Greg opened the gate to let her out so he could mow her part of the yard, she ran toward me full throttle, excited and happy. As she approached the patio, she slyly veered around me to reach our side door, ready for some air conditioning and dinner. Greg and I weren’t terribly hungry after eating big lunches so we opted for some guacamole and chips for dinner instead of cooking a full meal. Afterward Minerva snuggled with me as Greg and I watched tv and piddled on our laptops to relax and pass time. Reading friend Dwayne’s latest blog post was the most enjoyable news of the day. Everything else in my news feeds made me appreciate time away from the computer even more.

Tuesday is supposed to be another good garden day according to the almanac. Keeping my fingers crossed Greg will help me hoe a few more weeds. I like it when we work in the yard together, and I think it will be a good distraction while he waits to hear from HR regarding the grievance he filed at work.