VCOM View Vol 10 No 1

Community Unites to Fight the PPE Shortage for Healthcare Workers and First Responders by Grace Milauskas

D r. Tiffany Carpenetti was looking for ways to help fellow healthcare workers who are on the frontlines every day during the COVID-19 pandemic. She came across an article from the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Anesthesiology department on how to make two different prototypes of masks. Little did she know that her friend, Matthew Hull, a research scientist for Virginia Tech, ICTAS, had already begun putting the wheel in motion for community outreach, he had contacted the Blue Ridge Fudge Lady, Robin Burdette. “Matthew called me and asked if I would be interested in helping coordinate a group of people to sew these masks for the community. I told him I would love to help! He felt like I had a good reach in the community, and I could get together a team of people to sew,” said Burdette.

The call to help others in need is one that many people hear, especially during a time of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently sweeping through the world. One such person who is listening to this calling is Tiffany L. Carpenetti, PhD, an Assistant Professor for Anatomical Sciences at VCOM-Virginia.

Matthew Hull then introduced Dr. Carpenetti to Robin, and the two of them began the plans of mask making. Dr. Carpenetti sent Robin the prototypes to make from the University of Florida, and they met up to get the material that Matthew Hull had collected. Dr. Carpenetti’s neighbor, Dan Crowder, introduced her to Carol Davis, the leader of NRV Mask Makers, and who is also the Town of Blacksburg’s Sustainability Manager. The NRV Mask Makers created a Facebook group where members can post questions, tips, and tricks, messages of encouragement, and updated numbers of masks that have been donated to local healthcare communities. The group is currently operating out of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. The church is used as a central drop-off location for

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