Joann Fabrics' mask-making promotion raises questions

GENEVA – Joann Fabrics and Crafts is donating fabric kits for volunteer sewers to create homemade masks for hospitals and health care workers.

A news release on its corporate website, news.joann.com, dated March 20 announces that the company "mobilizes crafters across the nation to help protect health care workers."

“As hospitals and health care facilities run dangerously low on critical supplies, America’s crafting and sewing communities are jumping in to help,” the release stated. “Groups across the nation have started sewing and crafting protective masks, gowns and other essential items to donate, and JOANN Stores is stepping up to help as many of these generous makers and health care facilities as possible.”

The effort started this week at the chain’s 800-plus stores, said Susan Gregory, district manager for the store’s Chicagoland area region.

“We were really inspired as a company by our customers in this time of the world’s crisis,” Gregory said. “What we have done in all of our stores is we have kits put together for them to come in and sew in our stores – utilizing our sewing machines and keeping proper social distancing.”

Volunteers are asked to drop off their finished masks at the Joann stores.

Hospitals reject homemade masks

Gregory said the masks were being donated to Rush Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park and to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva – but spokespeople for both those hospitals said it was not true.

“Due to infection control measures, Northwestern Medicine cannot accept donations of handmade masks, gowns and other medical supplies,” according to an email from Kimberly Waterman, spokeswoman for Northwestern Medicine Delnor. “Only factory-made, hospital-quality supplies, including N95 masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, sanitizers and swabs can be donated.”

Charles Jolie, spokesman for Rush Oak Park Hospital, echoed Northwestern Medicine’s statement.

“Hand-sewn efforts are lovely and heartwarming, but we cannot use things that are not FDA approved," Jolie said. “If it isn’t FDA approved, then we can’t use it. We really do appreciate the outpouring of emotional support. … But our workers only will be given FDA personal protection equipment and we have a huge stock of those.”

Gregory had also stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had called Joann and asked for the hand-sewn masks.

But the person Gregory said was from FEMA, Drew Sparks, is actually a paramedic at a suburban fire department.

Sparks said he contacted Joann Fabrics to see about getting fabric donated for masks, but not on behalf of FEMA.

“I am part of a special rescue team that is a FEMA asset,” Sparks said. “I do not work for FEMA.”

In email response to an email asking what hospitals will be getting these homemade masks, Joann spokeswoman Shauntina Lilly maintained that the company’s promotion of homemade masks for health care workers is ongoing.

“Apologies for the misunderstanding, however I can indubitably confirm that the masks our team members and customers are working hard to create will be distributed to hospitals and healthcare facilities in need,” Lilly’s email stated. “We have no further comment at this time.”

CDC: Homemade masks a last resort

Jo Ann White of Montgomery said she was helping to make the masks, but questioned how effective they might be.

“There is no barrier,” White said. “Once they get wet, I don’t think they’re that effective.”

Terry Hutsell, manager of the sewing machine sales area inside the Joann Fabrics store at 714 Commons Drive, in the Geneva Commons Shopping Center on Randall Road, said she thought homemade masks are a great idea.

“Is it going to make a big difference? It can slow the progression of the disease,” Hutsell said. “And they can be washed and sanitized."

Hutsell said if people start wearing these colorful masks, it could help remind others to keep their distance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re seeking more and more of that,” Hutsell said. “I went to the bank and they have little signs to show you where to stand six feet away.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, www.cdc.gov, lists homemade masks as a strategy for optimizing the supply of face masks, according to its website, cdc.gov.

While homemade masks are not considered personal protective equipment, health care professionals can use them – even a bandana or a scarf – as a last resort when no other protective masks are available, according to the website.

Because no one knows the capability of homemade masks to protect from the coronavirus, they should be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire face, extending to the chin or below and the sides of the face, according to the website.

COVID-19 deterrent?

Karen Hutchings of Huntley, who picked up free mask-making supplies at the Huntley Joan Fabric store, said she understands that the homemade masks are not medically safe, but they are considered a deterrent to the virus.

“I came up with some other thoughts on this,” Hutchings said. “The homemade masks are washable and that sanitizes it. … It’s probably good to wash it beforehand.”

Hutchings said she called Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital to see about donating them there.

“They said they’re not accepting anything homemade,” Hutchings said.

Susan Parker of Algonquin said she picked up a package of bright yellow fabric to make some cheery masks.

“I think it’s a great idea for the people who are not truly at risk, but at least they get something and that frees up stuff they really need for people at risk,” Parker said.

Reporter Eric Schelkopf contributed to this report.