Thumbsie® produce fun fabric children’s face masks to help the national shortage
Thumbsie® has stepped in to make much wanted children’s face masks as part of its effort to help with the national COVID-19 crisis. Usually known for its colourful thumb guards which help children to stop sucking their thumb or finger, Thumbsie® has turned its creative skills to producing fun and colourful face masks, by popular demand! Better yet for every 4 masks they make, one will be donated to the child of a key worker or NHS staff member.
Jo Bates, owner of Thumbsie® said, ‘We have had so many customers ask us if we can make and supply children’s face masks as we had been making some with spare material for the NHS locally. We felt we had to do something as we were hearing stories of anxious children who were scared about leaving the house. So, we decided to turn our attention to face masks to do ‘our bit’ making face masks for our customers and for every 4 masks that are purchased we will be donating 1 to a child of a key worker or NHS staff.’ *
She continues, ‘Deciding to wear a mask is a family’s choice. We are not recommending wearing masks, but simply responding to customer demand and providing them in fun child friendly fabrics if families want their child to wear them – some children have even asked for a face mask to match their Thumbsie®.’
Thumbsie® fabric washable face masks are made from non-surgical material and are available in three sizes to suit children aged 3 to 16 years old. They are made from poly cotton/cotton and have an inner pocket so that a disposable filter lining (such as a tissue) can be inserted and removed to maintain hygiene. The masks are secured with elastic and can be altered using a plastic toggle on each of the head side making it comfortable to wear. The masks are not PPE and do not meet government for any medical grade face masks.
Further points to note:
– Children should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face mask or covering and wash hands thoroughly, immediately after removing.
Thumbsie® recommend purchasing several face masks, so that they can be worn for a short period of time and then put straight into the wash. They are machine washable and we suggest washing them at 60 degrees.
– The World Health Organisation (WHO) state in their paper Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19 6 April 2020 – ‘However, the use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection, and other measures should also be adopted. Wearing a mask is no guarantee of protection and the government guidelines of social distancing and the washing of hands should still be adhered to. Wearing a mask in public settings and where other social distancing measure are difficult can help protect others’.
– Face mask and other cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
*This will not be done on an individual basis, but will be delivered in bulk at the end of each month.
