These seamsters sprang into action after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo asked individuals and businesses to help hospitals facing shortages of N95 masks and other protective equipment. Brought together by their unions and by Broadway stars, members of the community have taken over studio spaces and contacted centers in need in preparation for the work.
11 comments:
I’ve heard lots of stories about arts communities coming together to make supplies to support the medical professionals during this pandemic, so I finally decided to comment on this one! I think it’s really wonderful that Cuomo is providing state funding to those who are working towards this effort, especially for supplies. At first when I heard about people making masks, I didn’t think that was too safe because fabric is penetrable by the virus, but was informed that a lot of these masks are still helpful to wear OVER N95 masks to make them more reusable, to slow down the shortage of medical equipment. As I kept reading down the article, the spread of the community’s help was so apparent: with efforts expanding to even the dry cleaners lending their vans to transport materials. We may not think about those things right away, but in a time like this, it makes a significant impact. And, with the effort making it’s way to IATSE, who have said that they’ll get people involved in cities across the USA, I believe so many masks and gowns will get made. There are even small theaters in my hometown that have been volunteering for the cause, and I can only imagine that many more around the country are doing the same. It’s inspiring to see people jump to help so quickly.
I have been ranting about this a lot lately because it just breaks my heart, so I’m going to try to keep this succinct. My mom is a nurse, and she has been re-wearing her personal protective equipment for DAYS. She has come home from work a few times with her ripped disposable masks, and I have had to re-sew the holes. Some of her coworkers are stapling their masks back together. I understand that most this shortage stems from a high demand, but a lot of it also stems from people trying to make a profit off of this high demand. My mom’s hospital cannot afford to adequately supply more PPE, such as N95 masks, because people are monopolizing them. While some people’s morals are disoriented in doing such things, it brings me so much joy to see major figures in our community stepping up to fill the hole of that shortage. My mom and I are personally trying, as well.
Seeing the theatre industry use their talents for good is so heartwarming. All of my friends who are aspiring costume designers have carried the same sentiment and created masks for the hospitals in their area. The task is a simple one, and it is wonderful to see that for Broadway it’s not just costume designers, but actors as well who are helping create the masks. It’s a simple design that’s pretty easy to create, which makes it perfect for more people to contribute to the cause. The crew and cast jobs are so different in the skills that are required, but it's touching to see how basic human empathy can bring them together to participate in a good cause. The masks are going further than just the coronavirus cases, but other health centers that are in need of the masks and gowns. Hopefully this crafting goes beyond just the virus and people continue to make the masks as a generous act to those who are less fortunate than most.
This is truly inspiring and I hope they get the okay from the government soon. This movement would help not only the hospital workers and people at great risk of COVID but the actors and industry people that don't know what their futures hold with live entertainment at a complete halt. This kind of collaboration is insane to see and I'm proud to say I'm pursuing a field that cares so much about the world as a whole and is working so diligently and quickly to remedy an important issue. Hopefully, the government will see the potential of this movement and put it into effect ASAP. I have faith that this movement will persist even if there isn't government funding because we're a scavenging, clever, and inventive field. If there's a problem we're passionate about and we see need we will find a way to make it happen. The majority of people that find themselves in theatre are here for the love, not the money so the medical workers in need are supported by good intentions and well wishes.
I love this way of interpreting our skills we learn as theatre makers to help the world. It reminds me of the lecuture we had on wednesday in boevers' class, where we were spoken to by a nurse who went to nursing school after getting her Design and Production bfa from Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. She talked about how the skills we acquire while getting our degree at cmu and how we can use them in different fields. I think that this is an excellent example of this. She mentioned when she spoke to us, however, that cloth make aren't that helpful, but they are still nice because they can cover the plastic masks and get contaminated rather than the plastic mask, that way they can reuse the plastic mass. Either way, this is one of my favorite ways the community is coming together to help the coronavirus outbreak.
Stories like these are heartwarming. The creativity and innovation that comes from the arts does not cease in a crisis. Not the mention the fact that this shortage of protective gear is a serious issue. While handmade masks may not be fully graded, they can make do if there is no other option. My dad is a physician and often has trouble getting his hands on masks and gloves, even when he is going in to do surgery. Finding an N95 mask is a truly unique accomplishment. This is also a result of people panic-buying in large quantities, causing unusual shortages. Some local grocery stores in my area have set limits and are pleading to customers to please only buy what is necessary in this time of need. The effort of handmaking masks that we are out of is a wonderful effort, but we should still be sure to reserve the graded ones to those who need them most.
This article highlights a major concern of unregulated medical supply making. It is hard to provide standards for large ranges of skill levels. It's very encouraging that this group is making a system and standardized plans. This plan is a little mixed up in bureaucracy and I hope they are able to hit the ground running soon. I think it would be an amazing system to have lesser skilled laborers working on cutting fabric and making masks while highly skilled folks can focus on gowns and other protective gear. As I mentioned in an earlier comment the reusability of this equipment is a huge plus. Being able to wash a gown in a sterilizing washing machine makes it so much more effective. I wonder if there will be a need in the washing industries to increase capacity in order to launder more hospital equipment. I wonder if there is any value after the crisis is over in investing research into reusable medical equipment.
It’s pretty heart warming to see that in a time of crisis, and heightened levels of stupidity that causes people to hoard products they don’t really need, that there are a lot of people out here still doing good and trying to help with the resources that they have. I’ve heard of the need for surgical masks and people making their own to help out, but seeing that they also need TEN MILLION surgical gowns is insane. It would’ve been nice if the government had been more prepared for a pandemic like this so that we wouldn’t be running into such shortages and problems, but nevertheless now that the US is in a pretty critical condition it’s really cool that they got over five hundred people who no longer have stage jobs from this outbreak to use their time and skill to help out the struggling medical system here.
I’ve seen lots of these stories going around and I think it’s a great use of our skills and equipment that’s currently being unused for an important cause. The parts about different companies providing materials, use of trucks, industrial sewing machines, and so on, is honestly one of those really inspiring stories about communities coming together to support each other in a crisis. I was concerned when I first heard about this movement, as it seemed like surgical masks and gowns were supposed to be special-made with specific, medical-safe, materials and patterns, but it’s good to hear that they’re working with hospitals and manufacturers to make sure that what they make is actually going to good use. If I had a sewing machine or really any sewing skills at all, I would be helping with this project if I could - as-is, I can support from the sidelines. Our medical workers need help and will continue to need help in the coming weeks, and I’m really glad the theatre community can do something to help while we’re all stuck at home.
It's great to hear that the theatre community is coming together to help with a Corona crisis. One of my friends from high school’s mom texted me about a group in Minnesota asking anyone with the sewing machines that help make masks. and I sent it to the rest of the costumers. I also heard that some designer brands such as Ralph Lauren are now going to start using their factories to start producing masks and gowns. The medical community currently, is working tirelessly for the rest of the world, and the least we could do is help provide sanitaryware when it is running short. When we aren't able to use our skills to put on a show, but another group of people could utilize them, why wouldn't we help? In times like this I believe it is very important for communities to come together and support one another, that's the only way we will rise above.
This is so inspiring to hear right now! I’m amazed at how the theater and sewing communities are coming together to make very much needed PPE for medical professionals in NYC and country-wide. Sewing is such a useful skill to know and I’m really glad that it is taught at CMU Drama in the stagecraft class. You can do so much with just a simple straight stitch on the sewing machine! The patterns for these homemade masks are very simple and require little sewing knowledge! It’s also wonderful that Broadway actors and actresses are using their social media to help spread the word about wear to send homemade masks and surgical gowns! I have been making masks for my friends and family from home in NY, but I’m also hoping to make a bunch to donate to local hospitals! If there’s one good thing that comes out of the COVID pandemic it’s that it’s forced us to come up with some really creative solutions to our problems and it’s going to bring us all closer together!
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