- Title: Bespoke masks and 3D printed face shields against coronavirus in Gaza
- Date: 30th March 2020
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (MARCH 26, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARTIST DRAWING AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS ON A FACE MASK ARTIST DRAWING EIFFEL TOWER AND HEARTS ON MASK ARTIST DIPPING BRUSH INTO PAINT ARTIST DRAWING HEART ON MASK PAINT THREE ARTISTS DRAWING ON MASKS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ARTIST, SAMAH SAED, SAYING: "My kids would refuse to wear the masks, so I drew a teddy bear on one, a flower and a balloon on others. Images that would make them want to wear the masks. This gave us the idea to do the same for everyone in Gaza, so that people wear the masks and that it becomes more acceptable for them. For the sake of their safety." VARIOUS OF WOMAN, SAED, DRAWING ON MASK WHILE WEARING A PAINTED MASK ARTIST DRAWING GIRAFFE ON MASK VARIOUS OF TWO ARTISTS WEARING MASKS WITH DRAWINGS AND PAINTING ON MASKS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ARTIST, TAMER AL-DEIB, SAYING: "We paint different images on the masks. We draw things that represent love, security and peace, using joyful and fun colors. Some of our drawings are also scary, to deliver the message that this virus is fatal and must be taken seriously and to encourage people to wear the masks." ARTISTS WEARING MASKS WITH DRAWINGS ON THEM VARIOUS OF ARTISTS DRAWING ON MASKS SMALL 3D MODEL OF COVID-19 INFORMATION ENGINEER MOHAMMAD ABU MATTAR TRYING ON A 3D PRINTED FACE SHIELD VARIOUS OF MATTAR ADDING PLASTIC RAW MATERIAL TO MACHINE MATTAR TURNING ON 3D PRINTER VARIOUS OF MATTAR EXAMINING 3D PRINTER WHILE IT PRINTS MASK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) INFORMATION ENGINEER, MOHAMMAD ABU MATTAR, SAYING: "One of the ideas that we decided to work on is a mask called 'face shield' that covers the whole face. It protects doctors or workers who are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients from any droplets or discharge of liquids." ABU MATTAR TALKING TO CO-WORKER
- Embargoed: 13th April 2020 13:42
- Keywords: Bespoke Face masks COVID-19 Coronavirus Face shields Gaza Palestinians
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Living / Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001C78VIOL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Artists in Gaza are creating bespoke designs for face masks to encourage people in the densely populated Strip to wear them.
Dergham Qreiqea, 23, and two of his friends, started the project when the first two COVID-19 cases were reported earlier this month. According to health officials, the number of infections has risen to nine since.
Health experts say that the infection could spread quickly in a territory where about 2 million Palestinians share a surface of 375 square kilometres (145 square miles) and where medical supplies are scarce.
"Some of our drawings are also scary, to deliver the message that this virus is fatal and must be taken seriously", artist Tamer al-Deib told Reuters, wearing a mask painted with a red-toothed smiling mouth.
His friend, artist Samah Saed, told Reuters that she developed the concept at home.
"My kids would refuse to wear their masks, so I drew a teddy bear on one, a flower and a balloon on others. Images that would make them want to wear the masks." she said.
Some sewing factories in the enclave are now solely focused on producing face masks and personal protective suits in a bid to alleviate the severe shortages of medical supplies.
Other initiatives to locally produce protective gear are seeing the light in the Gaza Strip. Information engineer Mohammad Abu Mattar began 3D printing a specialized mask.
"We decided to work on is a mask called 'face shield' that covers the whole face. It protects doctors or workers who are in direct contact with COVID-19 patients from any droplets or discharge of liquids.
Schools, mosques, public markets and event halls have all been shut in Gaza to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
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