How to help during coronavirus: Face masks needed by more than just hospitals

7 April 2020

Our Cricut Community continually amaze.  Time and time again you come together when help is needed, and you answer the call.  Most recently by making nearly 300,000 (290,064 to be exact) face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID. And there are thousands more hand-cutting to fill the need.  Today, we share a story about how it’s more than just doctors and nurses that need masks, so please keep making!

There are nearly 800,000 law enforcement officers throughout the U.S. who bravely and diligently work to improve the safety and well-being of others – even though it means increasing their own risk of contracting COVID-19. Today, we shine the spotlight on law enforcement officers who, on top of their already dangerous professions, cannot always maintain social distancing recommendations due to the nature of their service.

Unfortunately, law enforcement and other workers in the public service sector are running out of personal protective equipment (PPE). With the worldwide shortage of N95 respirators, the CDC has stated that homemade masks may be used as a last resort. A police department in Riverton, Utah is seeking these homemade face masks to mitigate risk of exposure.

Sergeant Dan Thomas with the Riverton Police Department is no stranger to difficult times. He served two tours overseas in Iraq with the Marine Corps and has 16 years serving as a law enforcement officer, including 14 years with the SWAT team. Yet, this current situation has him concerned. He recently turned to Facebook to request support from the community.

We wanted to help Sergeant Thomas get the word out there to all of you! We have learned that many other police departments are in a similar situation. Recently we posted free patterns to cut homemade face masks. Please don’t stop making! Check with your local law enforcement offices, using their non-emergency numbers, to see if they are accepting homemade face mask donations and arrange drop off. Your support can make a big difference for law enforcement officers, their families, and the communities they serve.