A woman in the US has made hundreds of face masks and has been hanging them on a tree for her neighbours and local health workers to use them amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Deb Siggins lives in Lisbon city in Iowa, and she began making the masks after one of the local hospitals, UnityPoint St. Luke's, asked for donations in late March due to a shortage, according to a web report by US-based Good Morning America from the ABC network.
The 55-year-old was quoted as saying: “My goal was to make 100 and donate them to the hospital, but then my friends and family wanted some, too.”
Siggins, who works at a doctor's office, estimates that she has made over 400 masks.
"I just felt like [my sewing] is a gift that I could put it towards other people because it's a gift that God has given me," she told Good Morning America.
She decided to hang the masks on a tree so that she practises social distancing while helping others and she posted on Facebook for her neighbours to collect them.
Excited that her efforts were fruitful, she was quoted as saying: "It was really cool to see people driving up, grabbing a mask and leaving. It's been a hit. "
Good Morning America reported that she makes masks with different patterns and constantly tries to hang new ones, while paying for the supplies herself.
Reportedly, Siggins has also made masks for her co-workers, her local fire department, grocery store employees and is now working on more for the elderly patients at the medical facility she works at.
Social media users appreciated her efforts.
Facebook user Diana Garza-Farias wrote: “What a blessing she is to her town.”
Tweep @joniernst from the same state wrote: “We’re all #IowansTogether, and we need to help each other out during this pandemic. So great to see this from Deb Siggins in Lisbon!”
