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2020 SPECIAL SESSION I

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HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 534 Commending the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, August 28, 2020

 

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads, a grassroots effort led by generous local volunteers, produced and distributed thousands of masks throughout the region during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads was established in April 2020 by a group of friends who recognized shortages of personal protective equipment and wanted to support local medical professionals by sewing and donating face masks; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known by members as “MaskForce,” the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads grew to include more than 1,400 dedicated volunteers and produced more than 40,480 masks; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads organized volunteers into work groups with different tasks to increase efficiency and set up six distribution centers for the completed masks throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads coordinated with local civic organizations, clubs, sewing groups, businesses, media outlets, and religious organizations to raise awareness and generate support for its critical mission; and

WHEREAS, in the first phase of production, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads made more than 19,400 masks for health care workers, including hospital-tested masks made from surgical draping that could be sterilized and reused and masks with clear front panels to allow deaf patients to read caregivers’ lips; the organization also made masks for Eastern Virginia Medical School, senior living facilities, physician’s offices, and home health care providers; and

WHEREAS, during the second phase of production, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads expanded its distribution of masks to vulnerable community members, including food bank recipients, cancer patients, public housing residents, homeless individuals, social services case workers, Community Services Board members, and many others; and

WHEREAS, in May 2020, as masks once again became available through the normal supply chain, the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads concluded its work; in total, the organization supported the needs of 81 organizations in 12 cities in only a few weeks; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads hereby be commended for its work to address shortages of personal protective equipment for health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the COVID-19 Sewing Taskforce for Hampton Roads as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for the organization’s generosity and dedication to the well-being of their fellow community members.