Put On the Mask
We are in an unprecedented situation.
The entire globe is dealing with containing the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. We have been slow to respond, as far as stockpiling medical supplies, changing our routines, cancelling events, social distancing. It’s hard to understand what is actually happening when experts’ understanding keeps changing. Also, all of us alive right now have never experienced an actual pandemic in real life. We’ve had our lives turned upside down: losing work, companies closing, working from home, not going to school, not being able to see family and friends whom we don’t live with. The economy is in dire straits, and no one knows how bad it’s all going to be. We also don’t know how long this is going to last.
Needless to say, this is frightening! Like many people, I’ve been looking to see what the needs are, to see what I can do to help others. I decided to use my art to contribute, in two ways.
1) What needs to happen right now is containing the virus so that we reduce and finally stop the numbers of people getting sick. This is why we all need to stay home as much as possible. When we do go out, to get groceries or to work (if we’re an essential business), we need to start wearing masks. We have to assume that each one of us might have the virus, so we don’t want to pass it on to anyone else—masks can prevent this. They can’t prevent us getting the disease, unless they’re medical grade and sealed to our faces (but we’re leaving those masks for healthcare professionals, right?), but they can keep our breath from reaching others. If everyone does this, we can stop the spread. I know it’s weird to imagine wearing a mask in public—it was weird for me, too—but we need to quickly drop into the discomfort and start doing it NOW. I made a drawing to help normalize the idea of wearing masks out in public.
So many amazing people have been making masks for workers and family members and others, and others have been making videos and sharing patterns showing us how to make our own, sew-able and non-sew-able. I made a couple with bandanas and rubber bands—easy peasy! And next time I go out to the grocery store, I’ll be wearing mine.
2) I also have seen so many people come together to help others, and it makes me happy to see. I see a lot of funds being put together for people in need, and I want to donate so much, and I have, but my own funds are limited. I thought that I could make black-and-white drawings that I could sell as downloadable, printable files for people who are social distancing to use as coloring pages, and that I could donate the profits to various charities or funds to help those who are out of work, need food, or need health care help. So this is what I have done: in my Store, the first black-and-white images you see will be coloring pages. I’ve put up black-and-white versions of the Vaudeville Cats that you can color, as well. I made them $3.00 per drawing so that they’re affordable for you at home. The only reason I am charging at all for these is to be able to donate the money—this way, both you and I are doing something to help people out. I’ll keep adding more to the Store as I make them.
I want you to know that I believe you are doing the best you can, in dealing with this. The uncertainty is very difficult to fathom. I’ve always believed that it’s best to help others wherever I can, whenever I can, because if I was in that same situation, I’d be grateful for any assistance given, so that’s what I do as much as possible. You’re being called to help others now, as they’re being called to help you. Let’s all form a safety net for each other.
Stay well, lovelies…