Carol Klapstein has remained hard at work over her sewing machine throughout the pandemic, making over 900 masks. (submitted/Carol Klapstein)

By Alex Rawnsley

MASK UP

Retired Nanaimo nurse sews & donates over 900 handmade masks

Dec 24, 2020 | 6:55 AM

NANAIMO — A local woman is helping keep her community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, one mask at a time.

Retired registered nurse Carol Klapstein has sat in front of her sewing machine nearly every day since late March creating layered face masks for her friends, family, neighbours and various community groups.

Klapstein had completed her 910th mask on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

She said her 23 year career as an operating room nurse shaped her view of the pandemic and how she could help.

“It was definitely part of my energy and passion to know how important it is to keep the virus at bay. Either I protect you or you protect me, the whole concept behind the mask was really my mission to keep as many people as safe as possible.”

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Her first day making masks was Mar. 30 after a phone call from her son, an anesthesiologist in Salmon Arm, telling her the importance of wearing a mask while out in public.

“I began sewing masks for the immediate family and I just thought it was my COVID passion project to help the community stay healthy during the beginning of this terrible epidemic for us.”

While she’s accepted some donations to purchase supplies, a majority of her masks are donated free of charge.

Several went to the outpatient renal dialysis unit at NRGH, staff at Dufferin Place care home and the Berwick on the Lake retirement home.

Klapstein also belongs to the Nanaimo quilters guild, who donate masks to the Haven Society.

“I will supply as long as there’s a demand. There’s always people out there who are needing another mask, I’ll be there for them.”

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley