For the past month, it appeared as though the need for masks had been draining away. Schools began to reopen, non-essential business slowly resurfaced, and it seemed as if the news reported fewer cases by the hour. There was certainly a sense of normalcy returning and with that, a needed feeling of reassurance that we were all going to be alright and a dreadful chapter in history had finally come to an end.
For me, there was a mix of emotions. The eliminated need for masks would have been an end to our organization and a goodbye to our volunteers and the months of dedication put into our project. More importantly, however, it would also mean a restoration of a healthy nation: reduced cases, fewer hospitalizations, and an eliminated need for cotton masks. Without a doubt it was inspiring to see the necessary personal protective gear actually being delivered to hospitals, a flattening of the curve, and communities within my area slowly reemerging to their pre-COVID characters. Soon, I found myself wishing that the work we did would no longer be needed.
Our team’s output reflected this diminishing need. We began to bring in less masks per week, sending in only about 250 masks per month to each facility rather than the previous 400-500 masks. While some members of our team were concerned by this decline, hospital coordinators and detention center managers reassured us that our output was perfectly alright. Even throughout mid-October, cases remained low and there was rising hope that the pandemic would finally halt.
Yet as late-October, early November rolled around, news outlets erupted in alarming chaos. A frenzy of reports marking the vicious second wave; on October 25th, ABCNews reported that the novel coronavirus had surpassed another grim milestone of 225,000 cases. In the first week of November, New York reported the most new cases since May, New Jersey had over 250,000 infections, and four states hit record high numbers of new cases. On November 7th, 1,000 US deaths were sustained for the fifth day in a row, numbers comparable to those in early August. Total US cases now reared to 10 million with no signs of hesitation. The demand for masks had surged.
Four months ago, I remember trailing through the clearance aisle of our local fabric store, Joann, buying up all different types of Christmas themed fabric. At that time, I thought the need for masks would have dissipated entirely. And yet, today, I found myself back at the sewing machine, once again encouraging our volunteers to make more masks, and again spreading awareness about the spike in coronavirus cases.
Though it feels as if people are actively choosing not to head warning signs of surging cases, perhaps hanging onto the remnants of the ordinary, it is critical to recognize that the pandemic will not disappear soon. More than anything however, the urgent sense of responsibility has struck our team once again. We recently surpassed over 9,500 masks donated, our output has increased, and we also introduced new volunteers. Even though we are students, if doctors and nurses are occupied with taking care of patients and manufacturing companies are overwhelmed with demand, then the burden of responsibility shifts to us.
Frankly, our capacity will never meet the demand of returning cases. However, the need for masks has made itself apparent. We understand this. Our team will continue to max our capacity to, once again, provide protection for those on the frontlines.
November 9th, 2020