NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — Starting Friday April 17, everyone in New York State must wear a mask or face covering when out in public. They must also be worn in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained. The Executive Order was issued by Governor Cuomo and applies to everyone age 2 and up (if they are medically able to wear a mask).
There is already a mad-scramble to find masks and materials to make one, said Marie Walters, owner of Marie's Sewing Center in Lockport and Hamburg.
Walters' said she has been inundated with requests for materials to make masks but the nationwide demand for elastic has made that material hard to find. In addition, Walters' said people have been breaking out their old sewing machines which has resulted in a surge of people needing sewing advice and repairs to their machines.
The sewing shop owner said she is recommending people who need help making a face mask, post messages on Facebook pages for local craft groups and garage sales..
Custom Covers & Canvas in Niagara Falls is also ramping-up production of masks to meet the demand. The washable masks are available to the public in any quantity. As a bonus, a portion of the sales price ($6.49) will go back to Buffalo Resilience - a group of Buffalo volunteers who are making masks for medical personnel on the front lines in the battle with covid-19.
