OUR MISSION
To create effective reusable face masks for people and organisations in the Community to take control of their own effective infection control.
THE START OF THE STORY
Wear and Care has been developed as a result of responding to the Covid 19 global Pandemic.
With visions of healthcare workers all over the world already overwhelmed by this virus, and with shortages of basic PPE including masks, it lead me simply to conclude, we must do better than this, what can we do?
With such a giant wave of need and such a fast spread, it’s clear disposable masks can’t be the whole answer. We need to do something which is as good as it can be without creating tonnes and tonnes of mask waste landfill whilst also using the resources we have right here in Australia and not rely on supply chains from China etc.
What else does a circular economy die hard do than try and think about something that can be re-used rather than single use? This lead to a whirlwind of reviewing and understanding medical PPE standards for masks and gowns, and how they are designed to protect, as well as the function of masks as source control in the community.
THE SEED OF AN IDEA
The Founder is Meriel Chamberlin, a Textile Scientist, with 20 years global supply chain experience and a passionate advocate of local manufacturing and industry sustainability and is also the Founder of Full Circle Fibres which is about connecting the links from grower to user in the Australian cotton industry.
20 years in supply chain and product development as a Textile Scientist meant my mind immediately went into action thinking about the problem, and what could we do to reduce exposure for frontline medical staff; something must be better than nothing….
But how can we actually make sure that this something is actually as good as it possibly can be? Surely, being well designed, with the tools at hand is better than nothing….?
Step #1
Ask a doctor (a medical one!)
I started with 2 GPs of different generations - "What if you had a cloth mask, you could hot wash every night, and you could use with multiple patients? Dr 1 - “great idea” – when will they be ready Dr 2 – “better than nothing, it sounds logical” – but what are the risks?
Step #2
Learn A lot in a short time
This lead to a whirlwind of reviewing and understanding medical PPE standards for masks and gowns, and how they are designed to protect. What are the specifications and what are the risks and benefits of cloth masks? After a lot of reading I concluded that with the right care and instructions, they could have a benefit. BUT there is no standard system for protective cloth masks so there are risks associated with supply, efficacy and claims. The benefits for cloth masks as source control are more straightforward.
Step #3
Create a design
We must be able to design something using my knowledge and what I’d learned, even as a non-medical item we can use as we go about our essential errands. Because, what do we do if we run out and our infection rate keeps soaring? If there are no more shipments from offshore? What can we provide? How can we do this well? How can we take the pressure off the PPE supply to health workers?
Step #4
Prototype
We collaborated with with Queensland Government's Manufacturing Team to prototype and optimise a cloth mask using local manufacturing. Using a combination of technical textile knowledge and an understanding of the Science of how a virus and droplets interact with materials we produced our first mask which combined fibres, construction and design in a particular way which maximised the effectiveness of the mask.
Step #5
Wear and Care is born!
A hybrid of designing with both physics and chemistry to produce practical and reusable facemasks.
WORKING TOGETHER
We’ve brought together a team of experts to create the best possible solution in the time given, with resources ready to go…. now. This can give our community an option so we can free up the medical grade PPE for our frontline healthcare workers.
Local Mills
for fabric and product prototyping at warp speed.
Microbiology Academics
brilliant global networks of advice.
GPs on the frontline
happy to be quizzed for ideas and practical tips.
Textiles Specialists
in science and supply chain bringing it all together.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
The idea of our mask products is that they are for people working in the community and for the general public. We mean people who care for others, delivery drivers, shop workers, people out shopping, taxi drivers etc…. They can be safely used in all kinds of environments so that medical grade disposable masks can be used for those on the front line so they have enough stocks. By being reusable individuals and organisations can be in charge of their own reduction of cover spread without relying on or worrying where their next box of masks is coming from.
OUR VALUES
We have the chance to make a difference during a time when people need it. We need to challenge the perceived norms and find a better way in order for people to be able to protect themselves and others. There are lots of experts and scientists working round the clock to tackle this virus from all directions and we have applied our expertise and science to this particular area. And if it means we can slow and prevent the spread of Covid 19 in our communities then it has to be worth doing. The function isn’t the only element at the core of our values, but the sustainable aspect of it too. One mask can be used instead of hundreds being produced, shipped, worn then thrown away into landfill. One mask can last someone months, not hours. We want to make a difference…. one mask at a time.