Coronavirus: WilCo Groups Make Protective Face Coverings

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The county's "Mask Brigade" continued on its altruistic march this week in making protective face coverings for first responders to guard agaisnt coronavirus with Round Rock setting up drop-off locations for the finished product.

The Mask Brigade is a group of volunteers stepping up to make protective face coverings for first responders and health care workers in the fight against COVID-19 virus infection. The brigade has been succesful in recruiting others for the task, with cadets of seamstresses being formed from various organizations pledging support — including YMCA-Round Rock with a commitment to make 50 masks, Austin Disaster Relief Network pledging the same amount and Celebration Church, which completed 100 on Friday. according to a news release.

Another group of volunteers calling themselves the Covid Rangers had five seamstresses in action, making covers for N95 makes. By Wednesday, organizers said, four more recruits joined the ranks. Celebration Church volunteers adopted the classic assembly-ine approach while adhering to physical distancing guidelines. After completing their batch, the masks were sent to Reid's Cleaners to be sanitized before being placed in a sealed plastic bag for distirbution.

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As of Friday, April 10, the brigade had made 539 of the masks thanks to a group of Sun City retirees working overtime to deliver them to first responders in need amid a scarcity of such protective coverings for purchase.

“The Mask Brigade will make masks as long as the pandemic is ongoing and there is a demand for them," 26th District Court Judge Donna King — who could be viewed as the general in this mission given her leadership role — said in a prepared statement. "We are grateful for any support people can provide. Our goal, starting next week, is to produce 2,000 masks per week.”

While the goal is lofty, it's made easier with PDF files showing interested volunteers how to make the masks step-by-step. This way, anyone with a computer, a sewing or embroidering machine, and a desire to help can follow the pattern, organizers noted. The brigade is now working on producing “how-to” videos which will be ready for public in the days ahead.

For more information, go to www.wilco.org/howcanIhelp and click on the Mask Brigade or email COVID-19Masks@wilco.org.

26th District Court Judge Donna King looks over finished protective face coverings made by members of the "Mask Brigade" in Williamson County. Courtesy photo.

Round Rock officials last week created drop-off locations for volunteers to bring their finished masks for distribution. With personal protective equipment (PPE) remaining in short supply, the Round Rock Fire and Police Departments, Round Rock Public Library and Round Rock Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are preserving their their inventory to keep first responders and medical personnel safe as they respond to calls, officials explained.

Two local sewing clubs, including one through the Round Rock Public Library and another through St. John Vianney Church, have already provided assistance in sewing surgical masks, according to city officials.

The City of Round Rock has set up three locations that the public and other sewing clubs in the area can use to drop off sewn masks, close-weaved fabric and elastic that can be used to sew masks:

• Central Fire Station, 203 Commerce Blvd.
• Fire Logistics Building, 3300 Gattis School Rd.
• Public Safety Training Center, 2801 North Mays St.

Masks will be collected and laundered at a City of Round Rock fire station with a disinfectant approved for coronavirus by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before being distributed to fire, police, EMS, and health care personnel in the region, officials said.

Since these masks are not a medical-grade device, officials noted, they will be worn by patients to prevent the spread of germs while being treated. The sewn surgical masks may also be used as a cover over medically approved masks worn by first responders and medical personnel to lengthen the life of the approved mask, officials added.

For updates, visit roundrocktexas.gov/coronavirus.