Another local business is helping provide support by making masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wade Olson at The Dude’s Custom Seat Covers said he heard people talking about the need, so he began making masks that he’s been taking to the Villa, Altru, and RiverView. “People were talking that they need them, so just decided to start making them,” said Olson. “It’s going pretty good. We’ve had some people donate some elastic as I didn’t have a whole lot of it. There are a couple of different places that will be getting masks again today like the Villa, clinic, hospital, whoever needs them.”
Olson said the masks he’s making are similar to a dust mask and have a double layer so that an additional filter can be added. “The masks I’m making is a little different than the flat surgical style everyone else is,” said Olson. “It takes a little bit longer to make but not too bad. It seals up a lot more. It has a wire up in the nose are so you can pinch it around, feels more like a regular dust style. The wire is sewn into the seam, so you don’t see and don’t feel it. On the inside, there is a double layer, so you can add another filter if need be. Or if you had one in there, you can change it out, wash the mask and put a different filter in there.”
Initially, Olson said he wants to get the masks to the people on the front lines. “Right now, I want to make sure they get to the people who need them in the hospitals, first responders,” said Olson. “I feel like that need is probably higher than the people who should probably be staying in there house anyways. Not to say we won’t make them for that, but people on the front line should probably get them first.”
There are a couple of different sizes of masks as well to fit better explains Olson. “There are a couple of different sizes so that it fits better,” said Olson. “There is an adult man-size and more of a female to teen size, so it doesn’t get up into your eyes. For sizing, they are a little different. The other style going up around your ear is more universal. These are too, but like my face is a lot bigger than my wife’s face, so the size I would wear would be different than hers.”
