Carlene Eaves strives to be a helping hand to friends and neighbors.
When in Madison County she made quilts and bags for children in foster care. Upon recently returning to Winston County and COVID-19 hitting the community, she along with Belinda Pickett knew that Winston Medical Center and other vulnerable persons in the community would need masks.
“It got a lot bigger than I imagined or expected,” said Eaves.
Her and Pickett began collecting materials donations and gained two monetary donations to purchase more materials. The staff and members of Ellison Ridge Baptist Church volunteered space for Eaves and Pickett to store and work from and soon volunteers in the community came forward and began to help.
“People were asking how they could help if they did not sew and there was plenty to do from bagging, ironing and other jobs,” said Eaves.
Eaves and Pickett have arranged a drop and pickup system at the church so that everyone could continue social distancing.
Eaves, Pickett and the volunteers churn out about 100 masks a day and are now also trying their hand at surgical caps for hospital workers.
Eaves noted she was grateful for all the donations and volunteers’ time since all of it will help keep Winston Countains healthier and safer. They accept donations of fabric and thread from anyone in the community wishing to help.
“This is a hard time for everybody. I want to do whatever I can to help,” said Eaves.
Face masks recommended
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency encourages Mississippians to wear face masks while in public to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-10).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are challenging to maintain (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies).
Dr. Dustin Gentry, Winston County Medical Director during COVID-19, noted that this is a courtesy to help everyone stay safe.
“These days it is common courtesy,” said Dr. Gentry.
According to the CDC, a significant portion of individuals with the coronavirus lack symptoms (asymptomatic) and can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.
This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity just by speaking, coughing or sneezing.
If N-95 masks are unavailable, the CDC recommends using homemade, cloth masks.
