Nationwide Spread of Filter-Replacement Cloth Masks Produced in Gangdong-gu

Gangdong-gu, Nationwide First! Launching Movement to Spread Filter-Replacement Cloth Mask Making, Setting Model for Public-Private Cooperation to Overcome COVID-19... 500 Masks Produced in Early February, Expanding to 4,000 Masks Made and Delivered in March

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon)'s 'Making Cloth Masks to Use for a Long Time by Making Them Yourself' has become one solution amid the mask crisis caused by COVID-19 and is spreading nationwide.

In early February, when COVID-19 began and mask hoarding occurred, causing a sharp rise in mask prices and shortages, Gangdong-gu planned to directly produce masks for children, whose mask supply was even more difficult, and deliver them to daycare centers and welfare facilities. From that time, the cloth mask making started.

Gangdong-gu prepared materials needed for mask production such as mask fabric, filters, and strap adjusters, as well as sewing machines, and with the help of members of the Gangdong-gu Saemaeul Women's Association, produced 500 cloth masks for children over two days on the 14th and 15th of last month.

In March, when the COVID-19 situation worsened, production was expanded to a total of 4,000 masks, including 2,000 adult masks.

This project, which started this way, became one solution amid the disposable mask supply crisis and expanded nationwide, with more than 140 local governments including Seoul, Gangwon, Busan, and Jeju implementing cloth mask making. In the early stages of the project, various local governments, public institutions, and media outlets curious about the cloth mask production process requested materials and interviews in large numbers. The image of residents coming together to produce cloth masks to overcome the COVID-19 crisis was also broadcasted on various media outlets.

Gangdong-gu’s filter-replaceable cloth mask making became widely known through the media, leading to inquiries about how to purchase fabric and the production method.

Accordingly, Gangdong-gu filmed the production process and shared it online so that people could easily make cloth masks at home.

The cloth masks produced by Gangdong-gu have a filter pocket on the lining, allowing the filter to be replaced after washing, making long-term use possible.

They are also eco-friendly masks that reduce waste from disposable masks that are used once and thrown away, helping to solve environmental problems.

Lee Jeong-hoon, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, said, “I thank the Gangdong-gu Saemaeul Women's Association and volunteers who helped with making cloth masks to solve the mask crisis,” and added, “I hope everyone continues to practice personal hygiene rules and social distancing ‘Pause for a moment’ with the hope that we can overcome COVID-19 by working together.”

On the 24th, Gangdong-gu concluded a month-long mask production journey, delivering 3,700 cloth masks along with replacement filters to local daycare centers, welfare facilities, Woosungwon, Gangdong Model Drivers Association, orphanages, local children’s centers, and nursing homes. The remaining masks will also be delivered to places where masks are urgently needed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.