The rural residents in the villages of the Kenozero National Park have started a production of protective facemasks for the staff of the park and people in Arkhangelsk oblast villages. It is very important to protect the elderly people who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.  In addition, sewing homemade facemasks may become a cost-effective activity for the local female entrepreneurs in the region. 

For the moment more than 400 reusable facemasks were produced, and work continues. Masks will be distributed to residents of Kenozero villages for free. Sewing machines and materials were purchased with the support of the European Union as part of the "Northern Lights project".

The COVID-19 infected people, even if they do not feel unwell, might be spreading the virus to others. The use of facemasks is encouraged and recommended for both the sick and healthy.

Svetlana Belova, director of Machaon International  (Slovakia) of teamleader of the “Northern Lights project”, also initiated the production of facemasks with a humorous pattern to cheer up people in the difficult situation. The material for facemasks can be any old textile, even ones that are stored in grandmothers’ chests. Both adults and children participate in the production.

"We are at a different stage of the epidemic, and our main task is to make children smile and cheer them up as well as cultivate in them a sense of civic responsibility and compassion to those who are in need. Our facemasks are being handed out at the entrance to the hospital," – said Svetlana.