Typically, Dean Renwick and his team design coutoure clothing for brides.
But with the COVID-19 pandemic putting his business, Dean Renwick Design Studio, on hold, the Regina fashion designer has turned his focus toward those most at risk of catching the virus.
For the past two weeks, Renwick and his family have voluntarily donated handmade masks to 1,000 seniors.
And orders continue to rise.
On Tuesday. they hand-stitched 500 masks and are expecting to make another 500 on Wednesday.
“The response has been way overwhelming, it’s been crazy,” Renwick said.
The Renwick family has relied on community donations of cotton, elastics and time to put the masks together. The design has been approved by the Saskatchewan Seniors Association so that they’re comfortable for the seniors to wear.
“Our end goal is we want to get all the seniors here in Regina outfitted first, and then we would like to help with some of the home care nurses,” Renwick said.
“After that, we’ve got lots of different companies, corporations and businesses calling us. So after this we might have to turn it into a business, and no longer a charity.”
Renwick said he was inspired to help because of his prairie upbringing.
“My grandfather has always taught us to step up to the occasion and rise to the situation and do what you can,” Renwick said.
“It’s Saskatchewan, and being a person from Saskatchewan, we’re grounded. We know who we are, and every time we’re asked to, we step up. That’s embedded in us.”
Renwick says their biggest challenge is getting enough material to make the masks. The Renwick family is in need of elastics – to go around the head – and cotton lining, for the inside of the masks.
Anyone who has materials to donate is asked to message Renwick Masks for YQR on Facebook.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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