Mask-making essential work

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Covid-19 response team has given the green light to seamstresses all over the town to act as "essential workers" in a bid to see every resident don a protective mask during the pandemic.

And it is an organised effort that has been dubbed Masks4All Plett & Beyond.

Heading the project is local resident Steve Ritky who said they are working under the guidance of the Bitou Covid-19 medical experts Dr Peter Berning and Dr Nicola Whiteman as well as members of the Bitou council and public safety department.

He added that a decision had been taken to encourage the wearing of masks as there was enough evidence to support the idea that masks played a role in controlling the spread of the virus. "The Masks4All Bitou & Beyond team has been tasked to set up whatever is necessary to make masks as fast as possible," Ritky said.

There are already several teams working on reaching this goal. One of these has been dubbed the "Heavy Team" which includes Kranshoek and Crags community initiatives, one private initiative and two businesses including Bobbin Craft and ZigZag.

Another team bears the name the "Home Team" and consists of a group about 20 women in in Plett sewing at home.

"All of the above have been cleared by the Bitou Covid19 Response Team to have their workers come in as essential workers to comply with lockdown requirements. Our aim is to be entirely self-funded without drawing from the Covid19 Response pool so that every available cent can be put towards the various community projects they are handling," Ritky said.

"If it becomes necessary, the Covid19 Response team have indicated that they could boost our finances to ensure that we reach the target – namely that every Bitou resident has at least one but preferably two, cloth masks as soon as possible."

The masks are being made at a cost price of R12 a piece. "These will be sold to those who can afford them for R20. Every three masks sold will fund two free masks for distribution to less financially able folk. A few of the teams will also be selling masks directly at R20 to help cover their costs and time."

Ritky urged anyone who has a sewing machine and close-weave cotton fabric like bed sheets at home to make masks under lockdown. "We are not looking for fancy professional-style masks – just something for folk to use. We have a WhatsApp group set up to help coordinate collection of masks from your home. The Home Team is coordinated by Dr Sian Hartshorn."

The masks consist of two layers of close-weave cotton.

The masks will be sold in packs of five at a cost of R100, Rikty said. They can be ordered by sending a WhatsApp to 060 820 6595 indicating how many packs you need, how many women's, men's and children's masks are needed, the name of the person ordering and their street name and suburb.

When the order is ready for delivery, the recipient will receive bank details for payment. "We will set up collection points at Market Square and at Beacon Isle KwikSpar parking at specific times and can be collected when residents do their essential shopping.

Some of the mask orders being put together for collection.