LYNN — As a retired nurse, Karen McPherson said it’s been heartbreaking to hear about the shortage in personal protective equipment healthcare workers are dealing with as they work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It makes me want to cry,” said McPherson, who worked as an IV therapy and trauma nurse at the former Lynn and Union hospitals for 22 years. “Some people will say different things or different stories depending on their political leanings, but when my nurse friends say to me they don’t have the supplies, I believe it.”
So, McPherson, 68, decided to do something about it.
For the past five weeks, McPherson has been making fabric face masks, which have been donated to healthcare workers, police and firefighters throughout the city, along with the Lynn Emergency Shelter. She recently sent about 40 masks to the COVID-19 respiratory center that’s been set up at the Union Hospital campus.
“As I saw this develop about six weeks ago, I knew they needed masks,” said McPherson. “They’re not ones we would use in a trauma, but they are helpful to people. I love to sew, so all of that came together.”
To date, McPherson said she has made 431 masks, noting that she has been sewing nonstop for weeks. Her masks have all been distributed within Lynn so far, which has been intentional as she lives in the city as well.
However, McPherson said her reach could be expanded since her efforts are part of a larger undertaking from the North Shore Fabric Masks for Health Professionals. The Facebook group, which was started by Beverly resident Heather Staples-Heitke, is made up of many other sewers, whose masks are being distributed throughout the region. According to their most recent update, the group has collectively made more than 7,000 masks.
“I’m trying to do groups of 40 every day or so and everybody else is just sewing like crazy,” said McPherson. “It isn’t just one person. It’s an army.”
McPherson said she knows of two other women from the Lynn area, Sue Lunden, a social worker at Lynn English High School, and Cindy Callahan, who are also making masks as part of the group.
She credits Laury Lapointe for helping her cut and wash the fabric for the masks. McPherson said her children have also pitched in. Most of her materials are from her own stash, but she’s received donations as well.
“At this point, the demand is so high,” said McPherson. “We’re just trying to get them to people as quickly as we can, which I will continue to do until all this is over. It makes me feel good to do something useful and purposeful. I’m proud to do it. I’m proud of my friends and sewing buddies.”
It’s also felt good to see how grateful people are for the masks, McPherson said. The masks can serve as a barrier from the coronavirus, but there’s also the mental benefits of feeling protected.
“Even if it doesn’t prevent someone from getting it, it can prevent them from giving it to someone and (they can) feel better in a crisis,” she said. “It’s probably the biggest healthcare crisis we will ever live through or experience, and I pray that people will get better and things will get back to as close to normal as possible.”
Julie Potter, McPherson’s daughter, said her mother has been donating all of her time and materials over the past few weeks to keep her community safe.
“During these unsettling times we all need hope, support and kindness,” said Potter. “She really is so special. Whenever a crisis happens she is the doer — jumping right in (and) trying to help in any way she can.”
