SIBU, Apr 4: A family here has gone the extra mile by making anti-viral face shields for frontliners.
“It all started when my sister, Penny called me up asking whether I could help her make face shields for frontliners. I told her this was a noble idea and we should do it to help frontliners,” said Stella Tang.
After a brainstorming session among the family which included their parents and a younger brother, they started the project on March 26.
Her cousin, Ho Siew Chan, heard about their charitable venture and decided to join them.
“We called ourselves Tang & Tang. We are doing this as we want to show our appreciation to the frontliners for their invaluable work against Covid-19,” said Stella.
From one piece to another, they didn’t realise they were so efficient at it that they had, up to yesterday, made a total of 3,500 pieces.
So far, they have distributed this personal protective equipment to the police, hospitals and polyclinics in Sibu, Kapit and Bintulu.
“Our initial target was to make 1,700 pieces but due to the urgent demand, we decided to make another 1,800 pieces. Between six to nine of us – including my cousin – are now rushing against time to meet the target,” she said.
As they are also observing social distancing, her cousin is making the item alone in her own home.
“When the materials arrive at my home, I will ask my cousin to collect some and do it from her home,” she said.
They first disinfect all materials, which include the transparent plastic sheet and sponge, before and after finishing the face shields.
Stella reckoned that their face shields were cheaper than those ordered online.
“Depending on the quantity, it cost us just between 70 cents to RM2.70 apiece. Both my sister and I are bearing all of the costs,” she said.
When her friends knew that she was making face shields for free for frontliners from her Facebook, a number of them from Sibu, Bintulu, Kuching and Johor called her up.
“They called me to teach them how to make the items as they also want to do their part during this difficult time. I feel very happy that as they wanted to help also,” she said.
She is elated not only that they could contribute a small part to society during this Covid-19 outbreak but that “our project helps build relationships with people who were once strangers to us.”—DayakDaily
