Everyone should be wearing a mask in public as we battle COVID-19, but not everyone has one, can afford one or knows how to make one. Masks are important because, “My mask protects you, your mask protects me.”

With that in mind, the Douglas County Health Department has partnered with the Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps to launch “Masks for the Many.”

“Masks for the Many will show Nebraskans at our best,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “It’s a chance to donate time and talent, plus a few simple materials to help our community.”

DCHD and the Medical Reserve Corps are looking for donations of 100% cotton fabric, elastic in any size or color, and any color of thread to make cloth masks for daily use.

These are not medical or surgical quality masks, but the kind of masks our residents can wear as they go about their daily lives.

In addition to mask-making materials, the partners are looking for volunteers to sew the cloth masks.

Donated materials can be taken to the Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps at 1414 S. Washington St. in Papillion. Contact the MRC group via email at EasternNebraskaMRC@gmail.com or call (402) 739-9052 to arrange pickup of materials.

“Our community is at its best when we work together,” Pour said. “Together we will beat COVID-19.”