The Guelph General Hospital Foundation says it is launching a mask-sewing challenge amid a global shortage of personal protective equipment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is asking the community to get out their sewing needles and make homemade masks that can be given to visitors and discharged patients.
The foundation said the homemade masks would allow the hospital to save the medical-grade masks, such as the N95, for health-care workers in higher-risk environments. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] It said all homemade masks will be sanitized at the hospital, but is urging participants to use clean fabrics from bed sheets, tea towels or T-shirts.