Demand for home made face masks surges across Mornington Peninsula as disposable versions sell out across the region
Pharmacies are struggling to keep up with rising demand for face masks with many sold out. But crafty locals have found a way to fill the void.
South East
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Savvy sewers have turned their talents to making face masks as demand for protective gear soars.
Social media has been flooded with posts from Mornington Peninsula locals offering home made options following recent health advice to wear a mask if unable to socially distance outside.
At least a dozen people were touting their masks on Facebook over the weekend including Ana Taylor from Taylor Made Face Masks.
The full time health care worker launched her business online after the first wave of the virus and has since been using every spare moment to fill orders.
She produces N95 (P2) patterned cloth masks with filters sewn in and a metal bridge.
Disposable P2/N95 face masks are able to filter out very fine particles from the air when worn correctly. They help reduce exposure to bushfire smoke, poor air quality and associated health effects.
Ms Taylor said she would take bulk orders and was willing to negotiate on price.
Other crafty residents have been selling masks from home with prices ranging from $5 to $10.
A single post from Jasmine Alford about her masks garnered at least 30 orders in a single day.
The Crib Point sewer said she was doing her best to fill all requests.
Meanwhile, The Sewing Bee Cafe owner Debbie Roberts said she had been inundated with requests for elastic.
“It started on Friday. Everyone wants elastic,” Ms Roberts said.
“We sold out during the first (coronavirus) wave so I really stocked up.”
Demand for fabric was not as strong with most people using their “stash” to make masks.
“My regular ladies have a stash of left over material scraps that they can use,” Ms Roberts said.
The Baxter business woman was also making and selling masks and recently made a deal with the chemist next door.
Baxter Pharmacy owner Bruce Hamilton said demand for disposable masks – especially the N95 version – was high and he was pleased to find an alternative for customers.
“When you read about hospitals and nursing homes having trouble getting PPE it’s important to find another option for the general public,” he said.
“Regular people need protection too and these fabric masks can be washed and re-used which preserves resources.”
Other stockists, including Chemist Warehouse in Mornington, Rosebud Plaza Amcal Pharmacy and Mt Eliza Discount Drug store had all sold out of P2 masks by Monday morning.
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