Local people offer masks

Protective face masks are the latest fashion — and another tool that may help control the spread of coronavirus, along with social distancing and hand washing.

Health authorities recommend everyone cover their faces, in addition to taking other precautions, when shopping at a grocery store or doing other things in public. A scarf or bandana will work, as will a mask sewn from cotton fabric, they say. 

Facial coverings not only contain droplets if you sneeze or cough, they also help wearers remember not to touch their faces, authorities say.

If you don’t want to make your own, several Yamhill County residents are making masks to give away or to sell. Look on Facebook or Nextdoor for local mask makers, such as Karol Louys Horton.

The Growlers Tap Station, 1036 N.E. Baker St., has masks available, as well. 

Debbie Slocum Lockwood of Sheridan said she crochets some masks to donate. “Nice feeling and keeps me busy,” she said.

Doreen Lybeck Pittman of McMinnville received some homemade masks from her friend Dorene Hart Gleason. They traded: Pittman gave toilet paper in return.

Another local woman, Dana Campbell Gilbert, is offering masks in return for donations to the McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity’s housing program.

Habitat recently broke ground on its next Women’s Build project, which will be built by women volunteers to provide a home for a single mother.

Gilbert isn’t accepting money for masks. “Instead, if you can, please consider donating toward the 2020 Women’s Build,” she said.

She has sewn more than 100 masks so far. Donations have already topped $1,100.

Gilbert’s fundraising efforts can be found on Facebook.