LATEST STORIES:
Community comes together to create ‘Mask Mates’ for essential workers

Many front line workers are not only feeling the mental stress of the COVID-19 pandemic but it is also putting a strain on their bodies, including their ears.
Wearing masks for a long time can be irritating especially when the elastic is constantly pulling on the back of your ear.
Lorie Tokola, a retired RN in Sherkston, Ontario, heard of the need for ear-savers which are a piece of material that sits at the back of the head and hook on to the masks’ elastic bands.
Tokola connected with a local “Crochet Team” which quickly expanded to knitting, and sewing.
The team creates a small strip of crocheted, knit or sewn material with a button on each end. They are worn at the back of the head, and the elastic ear-loops stretched back over the buttons.
A Facebook group called “Mask Mate Ear-savers for Front Line & Essential Workers” was created to connect volunteers and interest, both from makers and from those desperate for mask comfort, came pouring in.
They now have more than 400 people crocheting, knitting, and delivering the so-called “Mask Mates”.
The group has supplied bands to hospitals and social service groups across the country including providing 350 for Niagara EMS, and more than 2,000 to Toronto Community Living.
But Tokola says they are in need buttons that are about an inch in diameter.
Anyone who has any buttons they can donate is asked to visit the group’s Facebook page by clicking here.