Red Dirt Diaries: Mask Making Provides Protection And Purpose

Cloth masks we're all supposed to wear are all about stopping the spread of COVID-19, not a measure to protect us from the virus.

That's part of the reason, masks have become a show of solidarity.

“Women don’t have to yell to ‘Get busy,’” Spanish Cove Retirement Community resident Jean Scott said.

“It’s a way to take care of our community,” Spanish Cove Retirement Community resident Janet Green said.

The quilting room has now been repurposed like so many other things these days.

The residents have made more than 1,000 masks.

They’ve been given to retirement community employees, residents and now, their families.

The grassroots effort to sew masks can been seen all over the metro.

Meanwhile, other groups are trying to secure N-95 masks for frontline workers.  

“We all got to stay at home, but we don't have to stay on the sidelines,” Edmond resident Mike Robins said.

Robins and his neighbor are working with a company that provides medical, oil and gas safety equipment.

‘From Shanghai to Vietnam to Iowa,” Robins said about the calls he’s made in effort to secure N-95 masks for Oklahomans.

Robins hopes to begin fulfilling an order by the state this week.