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Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
N
ow that many healthcare workers need to
wear masks all day due to the pandemic,
many complain that the elastic supports
are rough on their ears, even rubbing them raw in
some instances. That's how The Ear Savers Crew
came into existence this spring. We've established a
network of more than 50 volunteer crocheters and
knitters throughout Connecticut and New York to
create Ear Savers that we donate to essential work-
ers at surgery centers and hospitals (and other
workplaces beyond health care). We sew buttons
on both ends of a small knitted or crocheted band.
By putting the mask's elastic supports around the
buttons, the elastic doesn't rub the back of the ears.
Each Ear Savers is washed and placed in an individ-
ual zip-close bag that's stapled to an enveloped
note, which thanks the recipient for their work
during the pandemic.
We're raising money to cover our costs for sup-
plies such as yarn, thread, buttons, shipping and
packing supplies at osmag.net/Thx4SH. (A $5 dona-
tion would let us purchase enough yarn to make
about 30 bands.) As of mid-July, we've delivered
more than 5,000 Ear Savers to people in seven
states. We're currently working on outfitting entire
staffs at four hospitals and seven grocery stores. We
plan to do this as long as we're needed to help as
many ears as we can, and we'd love to help the
staffers at your facility. Just send your order to the
email below (include "Ear Savers Request" in the
subject line).
Holly Broderick
The Ear Savers Crew
hollybhealthy@gmail.com
WHAT A RELIEF Dozens of crocheters and knitters are producing these "ear savers," which alleviate the ear-straining pressure of a mask's elastic band.
VOLUNTEER EFFORT
'Ear Savers' Have Mask Soreness Covered
The
Ear
Savers
Crew
