ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is in “very active discussion” about whether to expand face mask recommendations.
But these would not be N95 masks. Instead, more likely, homemade masks for the general public.
Safari Sun in Altamonte Springs is focused less on printing T-shirts and more on making face masks.
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Chris Dvornick, co-owner Safari Sun, says the company bought sewing machines and is making about 1,000 a day for AdventHealth.
“We had some extra time on our hands,” Dvornik said. “All the orders stopped as soon as the schools and the sporting events shut down."
He was able to bring back 40 laid off employees.
Joann Fabrics is handing out free mask-making kits.
People will take material home and then bring back the masks and donate them to health care workers.
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AdventHealth is providing most of the materials - but Dvornik noticed some materials like elastic are already hard to find.
Currently, the CDC recommends regular people should "only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it," or "by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms."
Jinny Sparks made her own and thinks the CDC should suggest at least homemade masks for everyone.
“I thought it was exciting that I made my own mask," Sparks said. Plus five more for healthcare workers.
Dvornick's team is already wearing them.
“If we get sick, then who’s going to make the masks?,” Dvornik said.
While these guidelines are being reviewed health officials still don’t want people to go out and buy N95 masks or too much material, because we could still be in that situation where we are now, where health care workers don’t have that PPE that they desperately need.
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