Diana Dixon is sewing masks for those who need them. (submitted photo/Diana Dixon)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Pitching in

P.A. seamstress making masks for local community groups

Apr 7, 2020 | 2:47 PM

A Prince Albert woman is putting her sewing skills to work to help amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Diana Dixon started making masks for community groups to distribute them. So far Dixon made and sent 25 masks to the YWCA in P.A. She also made some for friends, family, businesses and is working to connect with more groups.

Dixon said she was motivated to get involved after coming across The Sewing Army on Facebook. The group aims to organize people to make needed medical supplies.

“That sort of gave a lot of inspiration and that’s what really got me going,” she said.

The Sewing Army also has a website where people can get information on how to make equipment and provides other important information about how the masks can be used and by whom.

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Before she went to work making masks, Dixon put her sewing skills to work to help her daughter, who works as a nurse in Alberta. Dixon made her laundry bags as her daughter is taking off her work clothes before going into the house.

“I think I made 25 bags and sent them off to her, for her and her fellow workers in Alberta,” she said.

Dixon’s masks are made from mostly 100 per cent cotton materials and are washable. Dixon stressed the masks are not meant for people working in healthcare, but for those who have to go out in public and are looking for further protection. She added people wearing the masks should also be sure to practice other recommended precautions.

Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, was asked about the use of masks at Monday’s media conference in Regina. He said people can wear a homemade mask, but stressed other precautions still need to be taken.

“It should not change any of the other essential practices that are so important and that have [been] demonstrated to have an impact,” he said.

Shahab added wearing a mask also does not mean sick people can go outside.

According to Health Canada, wearing a non medical mask is a measure people can use to protect those around them.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn