Help to produce 40k COVID-19 fabric masks

Brazil is the second country with more Covid-19 cases in the world. And Institute Oswaldo Ribeiro de Mendonça – IORM leads the challenge to gather volunteers to manufacture and distribute, for free, 40K fabric masks to protect the community in northeast in the São Paulo state, especially vulnerable population that lives in disadvantaged neighborhoods, elderly shelters, educators, patients in public health institutions, families assisted by IORM and accepting requests of Solidarity Social Fund of the area.

GlobalGiving helped to raise US$ 15.395,05 for the project, an amount sufficient to cover the production of 31.200 fabric masks. The production cost of each mask made by IORM is US$ 0,499, since the volunteer work helped to reduce the unity costs.

At present moment IORM already produced and distributed 24K masks, made by 160 volunteers in six cities where IORM unities are located.

The manufacturing follows the Ministry of Health guidelines, from the selected model to the fabric acquisition that allows effective protection against COVID-19. The masks are fabricated with a double layer of reinforcing fabric and fits perfectly on the face.

After the production, the masks are sanitized and packed with plastic in two units and distributed through a logistic system developed by IORM. The distribution of two fabric masks per person remarks the importance of replacement of the mask after two hours of use. IORM follow the measures advocated by health authorities in Brazil, keeping the social distance between the people involved in the production and distribution of the masks to protect them from COVID-19.