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FARMINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. Recent studies indicate a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms and even those, who eventually develop symptoms, can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.
In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC is advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people, who may have the virus and do not know it, from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. These cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
In this light, United Way could use your help. Even with a corps of volunteers making masks, more hands are needed to continue to fill the need. All masks produced so far have already been distributed to various organizations, including:
* LEAP * HealthReach Community Health Center in Kingfield * COVID-19 Response Team * Individual Community Members who reach out to United Way (207-778-5048) * RSU 9 staff members who have requested them * Brookside Village Senior Housing through Foothills Management * UMF Students and Staff still on campus
There are many different patterns available on the United Way Facebook page, including a video demonstration and a handy hack from one of the volunteer mask-makers. If you like to sew, perhaps you have a stash of fabric left over from other projects. Anyone able to make masks can leave them in the no-contact bin outside the office at 218 Fairbanks Road.
For more information about the United Way and any up-coming events or initiatives, visit www.uwtva.org or visit United Way on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uwtva.
