BVI News

BVI manufacturers answer demand for masks | Creates locally-made, reusable product

By Esther Durand, BVI News Staff

As the BVI experiences increasing difficulty in accessing imported masks and other coronavirus protective gear, a group of local manufacturers have teamed up to create and supply non-medical face masks for the territory.

One of the companies involved in the production is Nutmeg Designs Limited.

“I think it is something that has to be available to people,” Director of Nutmeg Designs, Annie MacPhail, told BVI News on Monday.

The design

Each mask is reusable and consists of two layers of 100 percent cotton; some with filtering inserts. They’ve also been finished with elastic ear straps and flexible nose clips. 

MacPhail further explained that the masks all come with instructions on how to put it on.

“While these non-medical masks are in no way meant for use by infected or asymptomatic persons, healthcare workers, caregivers or for surgical or medical use, they are intended to assist in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus when used in strict compliance with mandatory social distancing practices and the prescribed anti-COVID-19 hand hygiene instructions,” she explained.

“It is just to protect you when you are around crowds and if people are not keeping that social distancing of six feet. A lot of people want to feel more comfortable knowing they have it and that they are not walking into the particles,” the businesswoman added.

Orders pouring in

McPhail said ‘a lot’ of orders have already started pouring in from local families and companies requesting masks on behalf of their employees.

And even at the risk of not making a profit from mask production, MacPhail said the team continues to produce the face-wear to assist the territory, which has had a total of five confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far.

“It’s not going to cover anything like our costs or our overheads in the least, but I feel strongly that I need to do this and so do the other manufacturers,” MacPhail said.

She also said a portion of masks will be made available for persons who are in need and can’t afford to pay for them.

The other companies involved in the manufacture of these locally-made masks are Doyle Sailmakers, Next Wave Designs, and Quantum Sails. 

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34 Comments

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  1. Great says:

    I welcome this. I also recommend, that the company make kids masks also.

    Like 20
  2. Kudos says:

    How much for the mask?

  3. effective says:

    I commend the local manufacturers for their efforts, however, please do the necessary research and ensure that you are making the mask up to standard that it will actually properly protect wearers, as we have seen, not all materials will stop the airborne particles from penetrating. be sure that the material is durable enough and will indeed filter the air and prevent the virus from passing through its fibers.

    CHeers

    Like 10
    Dislike 4
  4. No way says:

    @ effective. True. They just making any kind of mask. The medical mask is what you have wear they keep out infection and if someone has the virus it protect them from spreading it. Wearing any mask wont protect you.

    Like 2
    Dislike 3
    • Proper filter says:

      I agree. I saw a few people selling cloth masks with all kinda fancy designs….yes, the masks may look nice & stylish, but let’s not forget that proper filters MUST be used.

      Like 1
      Dislike 2
      • Bbt says:

        As I am one of the persons making and marketing fabric mask I can assure you that there is no difference in the colour nor pattern of the cotton fabric I use to the plain white cotton fabric being used here, 100 percent cotton is 100%, plain or patterned, plus all our mask also has filters and we also make for kids. We prefer not to use white fabric because it is easily soiled and have to be washed more often. Looks nicer too.

        Like 4
        Dislike 1
        • Ummm says:

          Great job. However, it os hoped that people are washing the homemade masks. Ita unsanitary to think you can wear them more than once without washing.

  5. More Info says:

    How do we get these? What is the cost? Are they washable?

  6. Government Please Insist on Yourselves, Your Workers, and Volunteers Protecting Themselves says:

    There is a recent video on Government’s Facebook page showing volunteers meeting at the Complex to work out food delivery.

    Why aren’t the DG and volunteers wearing masks?

    What is the point of the rest of the Territory being under curfew (which I agree we should) yet others are out without the necessary protection?

    There was also a photo of Red Cross workers posing in very close proximity.

    Why are we not taking this virus seriously?

    There are those who are trying to adhere to the necessary precautions only to have others likely to spread the virus for not protecting themselves and others.

  7. Thoughtful Sailor says:

    We are told that even wearing a scarf over our faces help, so it seems these are at least as effective as that!

  8. Announcement says:

    Please stop placing masks on your forehead and stop touching the front of masks with your hands.

    You’re taking the same germs and dragging them bag by your nostrils and mouth.

  9. Hmmmm says:

    Sure that’s not a jock strap ?

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  10. just asking says:

    why the writer did put phone number so people in the community can order & price for mask

  11. @governement says:

    These businesses have not been given approval as they are not deemed ‘essential’ – please reconsider so they can produce during this lockdown and have products ready for when we enter the next phase!

  12. Sniffn says:

    Smells like d**k

  13. Smh says:

    Reusable?

  14. Jess Sayin says:

    Generally these homemade masks are to keep the wearer from spreading their own droplets (virus) to others. Only N95 masks protect the wearer from inhaling the virus.

    • @ jess Sayin says:

      Do you rather wear nothing than a cloth mask if no N95 masks are available …it’s a help nonetheless

      • Covering says:

        The purpose of the covering is to keep YOU from breathing OUT germs, not to keep you from breathing them in. You could be infected and not know it. The covering combined with social distancing is to protect those around you. A medical quality mask must be thrown out after use as they cannot be properly disinfected. A cloth face covering can be laundered and reused. Leave the N95 to medical personnel.

  15. patriotic says:

    can we have a clinical test on this mask in order for it to be available to the bvi public . I applaud the effort but it must be supported by testing and proof of concept.

    • @patriotic says:

      Persons can sew, make, and distribute whatever mask they choose. Nowhere in the world are they testing on cloth masks including those that are available for purchase online.

  16. Bbt says:

    As I am one of the persons making and marketing fabric mask I can assure you that there is no difference in the colour nor pattern of the cotton fabric I use to the plain white cotton fabric being used here, 100 percent cotton is 100%, plain or patterned, plus all our mask also has filters and we also make for kids. We prefer not to use white fabric because it is easily soiled and have to be washed more often. Looks nicer too.

  17. Ummm says:

    Great job. However, it os hoped that people are washing the homemade masks. Ita unsanitary to think you can wear them more than once without washing.

  18. stay informed says:

    Trusted sources like the World Health Organization and the US Center for Disease Control have good reading on best ways to make, wear and care for face masks that are ‘home made’ and are not for medical use, like what material is better than other material. Google them for lots of reading while we are stuck at home. May learn something to further protect yourself and your family. Let’s spread the word, not the virus and keep the medical grade PPE that we have on hand for our first responders.

  19. Observant says:

    If the us center for disease control is so reliable, then why can’t the us get this thing under control? Why does the us now surpass any other country worldwide in positive cases and deaths?

  20. José Santana says:

    How can I get a mask? any number to request information? thanks.!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Covid 19 is not airborne so although the masks may not be 100% effective it is better than no mask at all. someone who volunteers to make masks can not afford to have clinical tests done. can’t fix stupid, get a grip.

  22. hello! says:

    Covid 19 is not airborne so although the masks may not be 100% effective it is better than no mask at all. someone who volunteers to make masks can not afford to have clinical tests done. can’t fix stupid, get a grip.

  23. Smith says:

    Have these been trialled under clinical conditions? Do they adhere to ISO standards? I’m sorry but you cannot arbitrarily tie some cotton across your face as protection it isn’t that simple. Using this mask may instill a false sense of security and exacerbate the spread of disease.

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