An online initiative by artist Marios Eleftheriadis and tailor Konstantinos Tektonidis is recruiting seamstresses to make more face masks using fabric and rubber bands. Materials have already been sent to 346 seamstresses in 37 prefectures of Greece in the hope that 40,000 new face masks will be created.
The masks will be offered to the Greek Red Cross for distribution where they are needed the most, especially in light of the fact that doctors, nurses and health care workers at state hospitals have already noted shortages in gear and essential equipment, including face masks. The face masks will be 100 per cent cotton, washable and reusable, and though they can’t replace the special ones created specifically for medical staff, will nonetheless go a long way towards meeting some of the needs of those in the front line by helping to at least filter out 95 per cent of air contaminents.
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The materials to create the masks were donated by wholesalers and others, however a portion was also purchased. Seamstresses embraced the initiative.
The Onassis Foundation also donated 13.5 million surgical masks to health staff, NBA basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo donated another 10,000 face masks to Greece and China had already donated 1.7 million face masks. Volunteers in northern Greece are also at work producing 3D-printed plastic masks.
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