Appeal For Sewers in Broome to Make COVID Masks

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar is asking anyone with the county with a sewing machine to start sewing face masks. 

The County was already appealing for masks for essential workers that have contact with the public earlier this week but now the Governor’s Executive Order mandating everyone wears face coverings has some scratching their heads as to just where they will come up with masks.

Garnar says there are 190,000 people in Broome County who suddenly find themselves needing to cover their faces if they have to go out for groceries.

The Executive the day before had said the County had put in an order for some masks to distribute to essential workers but expected that delivery wouldn’t come for several days or a couple weeks.

People who are able to make extras can drop them off at the county’s medical equipment donation site outside Macy’s at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City weekdays between 8:30 .a..m. and 2:30 p.m.

Directions for crafting masks can be found on a number of websites.  Some don’t even require sewing.  One site with directions for crafting facial coverings with or without a sewing machine is hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf.

Essential businesses have been told to contact Broome County Emergency Operations at 778-1183 or at EOC@CO.Broome.NY.us for help in obtaining required face coverings.