Sewing machines are now part of the arsenal being used to fight COVID-19 as a group of Richmond volunteers join other across the Lower Mainland to stitch up homemade scrub caps to protect health-care workers.
“Our news feeds might be flooded with cynical stories at the moment, but it’s also crucial to remember disasters can also bring out the best in us,” said Richmondite Wendy Deng.
Deng is one of hundreds of volunteers who has been keeping their sewing machines running through the day and into the night. She sprang into action last weekend after joining a WeChat group that aims to address the needs of medical workers.
As a physician who worked in China and Japan before immigrating to Canada, Deng noted that the medical-grade masks doctors wear usually put pressure on sensitive areas behind ears, but a skull cap or scrub hat can help ease the pain.
And now Deng’s project is not just helping workers, but has turned into a family-bonding intiative.
“My daughter and our 95-year-old grandmother are eager to help out. We worked together, joked together and laughed together. We feel so close to each other.”
Meanwhile, Deng and a friend have been busy collecting bright coloured garments, which will be transformed into caps, with the hope of bringing “sunshine” to health professionals who are busy treating the sick.
“Although doctors can’t see their own hat while working, they can see each other’s. I hope these colourful caps can help lift their spirits.”
Another Richmondite Vivian Zhang, who is also isolating at home with her husband and son, came up with two innovative patterns for the caps: one for short hair and the other for long.
“These caps are also equipped with buttons on the side to allow ear loops of face masks to be attached. These are all my husband’s ideas, and he just finished 100 hats for workers.
“Many people might think playing hockey or using maple syrup for baking might be a Canadian thing, but supporting each other is also part of being Canadian,” said Zhang.
Lily Li, creator and organizer of the volunteer sewing group, received multiple requests in late March from health-care workers who are hoping to cover their hair to feel more protected.
“A few volunteers made a few samples based on suggestions from doctors. After sharing them on social media, lots of people suddenly jumped on board.
“Then it exploded from there, every day I get dozens of messages and people asking, “May I join you,” said Li.
This overwhelming support and response drove Li to create a sewing group via WeChat to encourage more people to join their initiative. The group currently has more than 40 sewers and dozens of members who are in charge of collecting garments. They also shared detailed information in the group, including how to make the caps, a print-at-home pattern and names of contacts of various hospitals.
“Thanks to our volunteers, now we can produce more than 200 hats on a daily basis,” said Li.
The homemade headgear is only a week old, but it has become a popular item at several city hospitals.
And now, medical staff from Richmond Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital have been using their products.
“They shared photos of them wearing these headbands made by our volunteers. I am glad we are doing something positive, and lots of sewers feel the same way.”
People who would like to donate fabric or order scrub caps can email: [email protected].
