SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — During this Coronavirus pandemic, it is inevitable to be concerned for those who might be more impacted by the virus and who are struggling in this pandemic. This thought is what fueled Wilson and Adela López, a married couple from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to find ways to take action, even from home.
When everyone started learning about the virus, face masks went scarce in Guayaquil. Wilson recalls going out to buy some but he couldn’t find any that’s when he thought:
“If for me it was hard to obtain them, I couldn’t imagine those who have no resources or even means of transportation.”
Wilson is a skilled photographer whose wife has a sewing machine for certain productions they do at his studio. With this sewing machine and fabrics and materials Wilson had bought they decided to fabricate face masks to give them away to people who needed them, their son Josué was also part of this initiative.
At first, the people who Wilson delivered the face masks didn’t understand the necessity of wearing them.
“You have no idea what’s happening, please wear it,” Wilson said to them.
He would then explain to them about the virus and why wearing the masks is essential to stay protected during this pandemic.
Now Is Your Turn!
But delivering face masks was not the only Wilson and Adela took action, they also realized they could spark a sentiment of solidarity through social media. They decided to make video tutorials on how to make face masks at home. Since challenges are a new trend on social media now, Wilson thought he could also start a new one called “Ahora te toca a ti” or “Now Is Your Turn,” inviting people to try making face masks.
“Let’s do tutorials so people learn how to do it and they do it not only for themselves but to help other people,” Wilson told Adela.
But how to make face masks isn’t the only thing Wilson and Adela did tutorials on. They also did tutorials on how to make protector masks and protector hoodies.
Thinking outside the box and getting creative can lead you to think of unexpected ways to help people during this pandemic and even if you don’t have resources to fabricate things like this if you are a person of public influence or know someone who is, you can always organize a food pantry and many other things to be donated, as Wilson said: Now Is Your Turn!
