North Egypt News

Benton Consolidated High School (BCHS) teachers have donated handmade face shields to workers at Franklin Hospital. 

According to Benton News, a computer-assisted design (CAD) instructor at BCHS, Gavin Suver, started the chain of production by printing part of the shield masks at his home after learning about a design that was online for individuals to download and print. 

Suver can print a mask in about three hours on his 3D printer.

After the mask is printed, BCHS curriculum and technology director Heather Mitchell uses her Cricut to cut the plastic shield from book report covers, cutting a buttonhole elastic for the backside of the shield. Mitchell is careful to assemble the shields so that they are able to be adjusted for the individual use. 

Ear savers are then cut on the Cricut from plastic folders  — each of which makes 20 ear savers — and prevents the users’ ears from becoming irritated. 

Mitchell and Suver are both committed to producing more shields for the health care professionals who are working in southern Illinois. In addition to the shield donations from BCHS, Franklin Hospital has been the recipient of mask donations from Marianne Kaak (Marianne’s Cottage), the American Legion, the Fabric Response Team, and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Marion.

According to Today, this type of plastic shield is not effective at filtering air but does prevent respiratory droplets from hitting the user’s face. When used together with a cloth mask, they provide a great deal of coverage, making them an excellent choice for health care professionals.