Du Quoin seamstress churning out masks for medical personnel

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Amanda Ramsey of Du Quoin is no stranger to hospitals. She was a medical transcriptionist for a dozen years, but she also spent a fair amount of time as a caregiver for her sister and also as a patient.

These days, Ramsey is "sheltering in place" at her sewing machine, churning out CDC-compliant masks to help supply medical facilities.

Governors of hard-hit states like Illinois are begging people who sew to make masks for medical workers.

To Ramsey, it's about "paying it forward to those that helped me," she said.

Specifically, Ramsey is paying it forward in honor of a local LPN, Savannah Tweedy, who she credits with saving her life a couple of years ago.

"She took care of me," said Ramsey. "She treated me with kindness, and respect ... she had such a gentle nature."

Tweedy is much more humble.

"I was doing my job," said Tweedy, an LPN at Marshall Browning Hospital.

Pam Logan at Marshall Browning Hospital said currently the hospital has an adequate stock of personal protective equipment for medical personnel, but they are appreciative of anyone who wants to help them build their stores of masks.

"We have had several in the community who have offered to make masks," Pam said. "We are very appreciative of their generosity."

Those donating masks should call Logan at (618) 542-1033, and she will meet people in the parking lot. All the donated masks, she said, will be sent to the laundry department prior to use.

Tweedy saw a Facebook post that Hamilton County was asking for masks, and she put out the word.

Ramsey promptly responded. "We have to be proactive in this and help out our community," she said. "I want to be a part of that."

Ramsey said she has plenty of time now, as her job doing sewing and embroidery for Main Street T's is on the "nonessential" list.

"I took a nonessential job and turned it into something essential," she said.

Marion student Sabryna Richards, 17, learned sewing in school last year, and from her mother. Her mom, Amy, suggested that sewing the masks would be a good project while school is canceled.

Sabryna said he not sure exactly how many masks she's churned out, but it's "a lot right now."

Getting materials can be a problem for both seamstresses, especially now that nonessential businesses have been shut down.

But Sabryna, who likes to sew, had material at home, and Amy said people that have donated material to her.

Ramsey, meanwhile, has gone through her own stash of material and has created a wish list on Amazon at the suggestion of community members who want to help.

Both will be donating to places in need.

"Probably the hospital," said Sabryna, referring to her donation destination.

"We've also had some friends and family members who work at hospitals both in and out of state that have asked if she can make some," said Amy.

Ramsey plans to donate hers to any hospital that reaches out, including Marshall Browning and SIH facilities.

She will even be sending some to a cousin from Kennett, Missouri, for a dialysis unit. "The patients and nurses there need them," she said.

Both will gladly accept donations. Ramsey will take donations via PayPal at earamsey987@yahoo.com or to her wish list at amazon.com. Sabryna has a Facebook page, Sabryna's Styles, or email her at sabryna.sewing.styles@gmail.com.

"This is such a simple gesture," said Ramsey. "I may not be able to mass produce, but I can make a small difference."

Meanwhile, Ramsey also found another immediate local need for the masks - funeral homes.

Funeral homes are in need of the same protections as medical facilities, according to Darren Pyle, who owns Pyle Funeral Home in Johnston City.

"We're in extreme need," he said. "Everything is on back-order."

Pyle said OSHA requires gloves and masks during the embalming process in case of contagious or infectious diseases.