RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond clothier Ledbury is known nationally for its handmade men's shirts. But now, Ledbury workers have a new mission -- masks.
The Ledbury team in Richmond is now making hundreds of medical masks a day for doctors, nurses, and staff at nearby VCU Medical Center.
"We started making masks that we were just giving away to people because we saw there was a need," Ledbury CEO Paul Trible said. "Then when we realized we could actually help a greater cause. It seemed like this is perfect and this is almost divine intervention where we can actually do some good and keep our business moving during this difficult time."
Ledbury has a three-person team sewing masks in Richmond.
It takes about 15 minutes to sew each mask.
Trible said Ledbury is also now making masks at facilities outside of Richmond.
"The need isn’t two months from now, it’s on a daily basis. And it’s not just from us, it’s from everyone in the community that’s helping out. So we’ve started producing masks at our factory abroad as well," he said. "We’re producing that at much greater volume and we’re going to be doing that for VCU Health. The medical masks are a priority, but we’re also been talking to central services, banks, utilities, people along those lines who are desperately looking for masks maybe that are non medical that we can supply."
Trible hopes Ledbury can make close to 50,000 masks in the next three weeks.
COVID-19 Precautions
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.Avoid non-essential travel.