Sewing Groups Stepping Up, Made 2,300 Masks In Racine County

RACINE COUNTY, WI — In Racine County, where both Ascension and Aurora have asked for donations of personal protective equipment amid the coronavirus public health emergency, Racine County officials are stepping up to provide equipment to a wide range of front line health workers.

Authorities say a Racine County Sheriff’s Office-led effort to manufacture more personal protective equipment is resulting in the creation of 2,300 new face masks that can be used for local first responders, workers at long-term care facilities, and others on the front lines battling the COVID-19 outbreak.

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The Sheriff’s Office, with help from local sewing groups, Sew ‘N Save of Racine, and personnel at the state Ellsworth Correctional Facility and Racine County Jail, began coordinating a large sewing project to produce home-sewn masks.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Racine County Human Services Department and other community partners to prioritize areas in the county where the masks will be sent.

“Battling COVID-19 is an all-hands-on-deck effort. We are so grateful for the outpouring of
support, and we will continue working together to do all we can to ensure the safety of front-line
personnel,” County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said in a statement.

The Sheriff’s Office and public health officials earlier this week called for community members with additional home-made masks and other personal protective equipment items to drop them off at any fire or police station in Racine County.

Besides facemasks, items being accepted include disposable gowns, hand sanitizer, goggles, gloves, and cleaning supplies. Froedtert Hospital has instructions on creating facemasks . All donated equipment is sterilized prior to distribution.

It is still important that no one involved in the creation, distribution or delivery of equipment have any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or have recently been exposed to anyone experiencing these symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

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