For the months of July and August, we’ve created a project to learn how to make cloth masks. This project is meant to foster sewing skills and build confidence when starting a craft! It’s also provides students with a means of protecting themselves during the pandemic. Here are some words from one of our media interns, Sophie, on why it’s crucial for us to wear masks:

Hello! My name is Sophie and I am an intern with Build Repair Grow. Cloth masks are an important tool in fighting the spread of Coronavirus, the respiratory virus currently impacting the United States and most countries across the world. Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, mainly spreads through respiratory droplets produced by someone who is carrying COVID, even if they don’t feel or appear to be sick. Cloth masks work as source control, by keeping the respiratory droplets that each person creates from spreading to others. This is especially important when you are unable to maintain a safe social distance of at least 6 feet. COVID most commonly spreads through close, prolonged contact with an infected person – it is important to wear a mask whenever you  will be within 6 feet of someone you don’t live with. I personally always have a mask with me when I am outside, and always wear a mask when I am inside a building with anyone who lives outside of my household. All of the information I have referenced today came directly from the Center for Disease Control’s website, which you can access yourself through the link (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html) in the description below to find the most accurate and up to date information. Now, let’s make our masks!