The Woman Behind the Mask: Coronavirus

This is the third week I am writing my weekly blog on the topic of the coronavirus. The rapidly evolving events of this global pandemic have caused staggering changes in statistics. We seem to grapple daily with how to deal with the spread of the virus. Wearing a face mask was the most visible symbol coming out of Wuhan, China where the coronavirus began in late December. At the beginning of March here in America, the consensus was not to wear a mask in public. Now in the first days of April, a month later, we are seeing a flood of masks being worn in America. A movement has begun to make homemade masks. This blog is dedicated to a friend, the woman behind the mask, and why she began making them during the coronavirus.

Why We Transitioned from No Mask to Wearing Masks During the Coronovirus

The growth of the pandemic caused a shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment). This included medical masks. The CDC told the public in early March the best precaution against the spread of the virus was washing your hands, not touching your face, and staying away from sick people. Wearing masks was not on the list. Because of the shortage for medical personal, the CDC wanted the masks to be available for those people at the front lines caring for patients.

Just this week as we turned over a new month and watch shocking new statistics of confirmed cases and deaths in America from COVID19, the CDC is now reconsidering the question of whether we should all be wearing masks. A movement began across the country and now people are making homemade masks.

The hope is by wearing a mask it offers some protection without using the medical grade masks so needed in our hospitals and clinics. Just be sure if you are wearing one not to touch your face and adjust it to the point you are defeating the purpose of wearing it. This also does not relax the six feet rule for social distancing. The six feet rule is still in place. Some days you need to get out to resupply groceries, go to the post office, or a trip out of your home for necessities. This is when I have been wearing my mask and continuing the other protocols for safety put in place.

What You Should Know About the Woman Behind the Mask

My friend Kirstin began making masks over two weeks ago. I asked her why she began making them.

“I started making the mask because I saw the need and felt I have the ability to do something about it. ”

My nickname for Kirstin is Renaissance woman. I often tell her the word “problem” is not in her vocabulary, only the word “solution”. This was Kirstin’s solution to help others while we are all sheltered in place.

What you may not know, Kirsten is a volunteer on weekends for an organization called Dress A Girl Around the World. She gathers at a local church to sew dresses for girls in need around the globe. Because she is now sheltered in place, she is using her time and sewing skills to make masks for friends and family.  

Some Stories from Others Behind the Mask

This is my youngest son, Brian, and me wearing our masks. Kirstin and I have done a lot of advocacy work together. She knows I want added protection since I have survived breast cancer twice. Brian lives in the heart of a big city and uses public transportation. She wanted us both to be protected while supporting our hometown football team, the Seattle Seahawks! Go Hawks!

This is a high school friend of Kirstin’s in Beaverton, Oregon, Cathi, who was a lucky recipient of a mask.

A patient advocate friend and colleague of both Kirstin and me, Jennifer Elliott, is wearing her mask as a breast cancer survivor all the way across the country in New Jersey. You look very fancy in your mask, Jenn! We are loving our frequent #Coronavirus chats with you via Face Time.

I requested Kirstin make a mask for my plastic surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo who we both sat with on a shared decision-making panel in 2018 at a medical conference. His Dad was the captain of cargo ships for many years. When she showed me the variety of material she had available, I knew this mask would be for him. Kirsten sent me his mask. I tucked a letter inside the package signed by both of us. I included this quote to honor his Dad and the work Dr. C does every day for breast cancer patients.

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining – they just shine.” ~Dwight L. Moody

When I couldn’t order elastic online for Kirstin because everyone was ordering it, I reached out to my Mom to see if she had any in her sewing cabinet. Sure enough, she did. My older sister mailed the package for Mom and now they both have masks from Kirstin sent all the way to Kansas.

I know there are many generous people across the United States who are sewing masks at the moment. We will be hearing stories about them and admiring their generosity. In my corner of the breast cancer and breast reconstruction world, I wanted you to know about my friend Kirstin, the woman behind the mask and why she began making them.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart sweet friend! I’m proudly wearing my mask here in Seattle!

#StayAtHome

#ShelterInPlace

Disclaimer

References made to my surgical group, surgeon and healthcare team are made because they are aligned with my values and met my criterion after I did research of their practices and success rates. Any other healthcare provider that displays the same skill, compassion education and outreach to patients will be given consideration and recognition on this website.  The information contained on this website is not a substitute for or should be construed as medical advice. Please consult a licensed physician for medical advice.