- Title: Woman makes masks out of recycled jeans as coronavirus cases spike in Gaza
- Date: 9th September 2020
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (SEPTEMBER 8, 2020) (REUTERS) GAZAN WOMAN, REHAM SELMI, 36, WORKING ON SEWING MACHINE VARIOUS OF SELMI SEWING MASK OUT OF RECYCLED JEANS SELMI CUTTING JEANS VARIOUS OF SELMI WORKING ON MASK OUT OF RECYCLED JEANS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) GAZAN WOMAN WHO RECYCLES JEANS, REHAM SELMI, SAYING: "When coronavirus crisis started, my work didn't stop but I had to change my plan. I wanted to do something to cope with this crisis for the benefit of children at this stage. I made the masks with photos of children to encourage children to wear masks and not feel forced to wear it."
- Embargoed: 23rd September 2020 15:10
- Keywords: COVID-19 Coronavirus Gaza Masks Recycling
- Location: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Middle East,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001CUYVN11
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A Palestinian woman who makes bags out of old jeans to make a living decided to shift gears to make face masks, as coronavirus cases spike in the besieged Gaza strip.
Gaza has reported hundreds of coronavirus infections since the first case emerged in the general population last month, and a United Nations aid group warned that a lack of key medical items including ventilators could make it hard to treat the disease effectively.
Reham Selmi, 36, began her recycling and design project with funding from an international organisation, then decided to address an increasing need for affordable and reusable face masks.
The mother of four says she tries to design face masks out of recycled material and adds colourful prints to them to make them appealing to her customers, especially children.
Selmi sells one mask for $1 and the price of a recycled bag ranges between $1.4 and $9.
So far, Gaza has registered 1,356 coronavirus cases and 9 deaths.
Widely impoverished and densely populated, the Islamist-ruled Palestinian enclave has been on lockdown since authorities confirmed four infections from a single family on August 24. It was the first time the virus was detected outside quarantine zones set up for people returning from abroad.
(Production: Mohammad Shana, Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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