CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Pinellas County bridal shop is sewing masks to help healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19.
Vicky Anglo owns Anglo Couture on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater.
Her business is temporarily closed as coronavirus cases increase across the state.
"My business got halted and we had to give back every single deposit that we got from January up until the time we had to close which was a few weeks ago," said Vicky Anglo.
Anglo said brides began to cancel or postpone their weddings since large crowds are not allowed in venues.
"The clients are very apprehensive about taking steps. They don't really know what to do cause they can't have any guests so they can't really have the wedding of their dreams right now," said Anglo.
Anglo started sewing mask covers about a week ago. She started giving them away for free, but now she is charging a small fee.
The fee pays for shipping and labor.
"It's honestly the gift that keeps giving because we're able to employ people and are able to give so it's a win, win," said Anglo.
She is overwhelmed by the demand.
Anglo said the mask cover would not necessaily be a good substitute for the N-95 masks that healthcare workers may need to reuse.
"The mask that we're providing is just to cover and protect the actual surgical mask. It's not for protection on its own," said Anglo.
"People have contacted us directly. They have been nurses or families of nurses. New York, California, Miami, Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas. We've sent them all over. We have to keep on making them constantly," she added.
She has orders pending for more than 1,500 masks.
"I'm donating all my time and all the materials," she said.
"We've sent masks out all over. I get emails from all over the country and Canada," said Anglo.
If you would like to contact Anglo, please email her at: vickyanglo@gmail.com.
