Is anyone else as tired of hearing about COVID-19 as I am? It seems like it’s dominating every facet of our lives right now. And no where is that more evident than in the sewing community. I am a member of several sewing groups on Facebook, and I follow many quilters and sewists on Twitter and Instagram. So many of them are posting about making masks and other “soft goods” for hospital workers – caps, masks, gowns. And while I find their desire to help admirable, I think most people are just flat out going too far, putting their own health and sanity at risk as they try to fill the gap. If one thing has put the world today in to perspective to me, it’s the fighting that sewists are doing over those damn cloth face masks. Let me explain.

I forget sometimes that sewists are just like every other person in the world. They ARE every other person in the world, actually. But I get so accustomed to most of them being kind and helpful that I forget they aren’t some unicorn breed of person, here only for the good of the world, and to make all the things better and more wonderful than anything you can buy from a retail outlet. I’ve usually found quilters and people who sew to be willing and able to step up and answer questions, assist with problem projects, and in general be the type of people you really want to know in life. But lately, the in-fighting on the sewing and quilting related boards on Facebook has reminded me that we are, indeed, just regular people. Some sewists sit in judgment of others, and some are just downright nasty. Either way, it’s a sad situation.

Last night, I ran across a post from a lady who is making face masks and selling them to people in her community. Her customers are not healthcare professionals, they aren’t out and about for the greater good. They are just normal people who want face masks so they can go to work or to the grocery store. The sewist posed the question, “How long should I wait for this customer to pay for and pick up her masks before I offer them to the next person on the list?” And that’s when the fight started.

For some reason, there are people out there making masks who think that being paid for their work is wrong. They are churning out dozens, if not hundreds of masks, and are doing it for free. And that’s all well and good, if that’s what they are led to do by either their Higher Power or out of the goodness of their heart. What’s NOT ok is when those people turn a judgmental eye on someone who is charging for the masks they are making, and then deriding the person for daring to charge. “I could NEVER charge for something that could save a life!” and “I think it’s vile you charge for masks when they are so needed right now.”

What the actual hell?!?

I mean, food is necessary, is it not? Water? Electricity, while not necessary, is most definitely preferable to living without any power. And housing is a necessity. But I don’t see any of that being given away freely. Not by the scores, anyway. And we don’t know what a particular sewist’s situation is, but I think the main thing to consider is this. Not everyone has the means to give away hundreds and thousands of dollars. It makes me wonder if the same people who are so aghast at the idea of someone selling masks is standing out on the corner passing out $5 bills to anyone who walks up and asks for one. My money is on, No, they are most definitely NOT doing that.

For some people, making masks is a way to stay busy. It makes them feel needed in this time of uncertainty. And yes, sewists have been called upon to make masks for the healthcare profession, even though the efficacy of cloth face masks in a hospital setting is questionable. But no one should be called out for not answering the call to help, or for making a decision to charge for their handiwork. I have made two face masks so far, both for my husband. I will be making more, but only for family members. That’s because 1) I’m still working, albeit at home; and 2) I don’t want to make masks for others. I don’t enjoy that sort of work, and I wouldn’t make any if it wasn’t for the fact that three of my family members (husband, son and son-in-law) are required to wear face masks at their essential jobs. And anyone who wants to come at me for being “selfish” or “self-centered” or any other thing they can come up with can shove it, because quite frankly, I just don’t care what anyone thinks of my decision to sew (or not) for others.

And while I’m on the subject, I really wish others would stop judging people for what they are or aren’t doing. You only really need to worry about taking care of you and yours, and let others worry about themselves and their families. If you’re doing all the “right things” then what others are doing shouldn’t impact you too much. Get over it and move on with the rest of your life.

I’d like to end this post with a personal note. I found out on Sunday that the minister of the church I used to attend as a teenager has been sick with COVID-19, as has his wife. It’s my understanding that while he is on the road to recovery, his wife has not been as fortunate. She is, frankly, dying, and I feel deeply for their three children, and her husband, as they cannot be with her as she passes from this life. Their oldest daughter was a school mate of mine, and my heart goes out to all of them, but particularly her, as we are both the oldest child in our respective families, and it is never easy to lose your mother, particularly in such a way. Please, if you are the praying type, pray for all of those who are sick, but also for their families who can’t be with their loved ones as they struggle to hold on to the threads of life. There is little I can imagine more painful than not even being able to be there for someone you love as they pass into the next life.