Coronavirus: Retailer Nordstrom sewing more than 100,000 masks for healthcare workers

Nordstrom is manufacturing 100,000 masks that will be distributed to healthcare workers looking after patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

The American fashion retailer, which is based in Seattle, released a statement online outlining how it is playing its part throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

The company began its statement by saying “these are uncertain times”, stressing that “everyone across the globe is feeling the impacts of Covid-19 — including us at Nordstrom”. 

“During this challenging moment in time, we are looking at unique ways to help in our communities and highlighting how others can join together to make a difference,” the company stated.

“We are the largest employer of tailors in North America, so we’re learning how to leverage those capabilities to help with the medical supply shortage.”

Nordstrom explained that it has teamed up with one of its partners, manufacturing solutions factor Kaas Tailored, which has members of the Nordstrom alterations teams based in Washington, Oregon, Texas and California.

These workers have been tasked with sewing more than 100,000 masks, which once made will be sent to Kaas Tailored to be sanitised.

The masks will then be sent to Providence Health and Services, a non-profit Catholic healthcare system that operates in hospitals across six US states. 

On the Kaas Tailored website, people can enquire about contributing towards making masks, by offering materials or offering to make masks at home.

Members of the public in the US can also donate supplies by finding a local donation site in 41 US states using the website GetUsPPE.org. PPE stands for “personal protective equipment”.

Nordstrom said it is “also continuing to support our trusted partners like the Seattle Foundation, which has established a Covid-19 Response Fund to support communities who are disproportionately impacted by this public health emergency”.

In addition, the retailer has partnered with YouthCare, an organisation that is working to end youth homelessness in Seattle, by helping young people “have access to nutritious food during this time”.

The firm is also supporting the Hetrick-Martin Institute, a non-profit organisation that supports LGBT+ youth and their families.

“Additionally, we’re supporting Hetrick-Martin Institute emergency meal service programme to continue to serve young people, most of whom are currently experiencing homelessness, during this outbreak,” Nordstrom said.

The retailer concluded its statement by sharing ideas of ways individuals can help others during the pandemic, such as by doing grocery shopping for others and supporting local organisations.