With the means at hand. Since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic in France, the controversy has swelled over the lack of availability of disposable surgical masks, in particular the famous FFP2. Without being able to obtain supplies on a regular basis, the Lille University Hospital Center must strictly manage its stock of masks for its nursing staff. The hospital has therefore developed an "acceptable substitute" whose manufacture began this Saturday.
While waiting to receive its share of the mask order placed by the Ministry of Health, the Lille University Hospital preferred to anticipate. If the hospital still has a certain number of conventional face protections, these must be rationed and reserved for risky situations. Several people have therefore worked on an alternative, certainly provisional, but which would nevertheless meet strict characteristics.
Washable, reusable and made in France
The result is called Garridou, in tribute to its designers: Pascal Odou, Delphine and Clémentine Garrigue and Marine Vanbremeersch. It is a mask whose composition and fabrics used allow the filtration of particles at a level "similar to the standard applied to conventional disposable surgical masks", ensures the CHU. If these masks are not intended to be used during invasive procedures or during treatment, they will be "an acceptable substitute in all other situations", they continued at the hospital. And the Garridou also has the advantage of being ecological since it is washable, reusable and made in France.
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With pride, we are mobilized. Many of you asked us (thank you for thinking of us 😄) about our ability to use our factory to face the threat of shortage on protective masks. At the same time, great initiatives have spontaneously emerged to make up for this lack and many questions have been raised about the effectiveness of this type of solution. We do not want to go all out in the manufacturing of masks, without obtaining a minimum health guarantee and above all real efficiency. Thus, in recent days, we have collaborated with the Lille University Hospital to develop and test in the laboratory a model of fabric mask, washable and reusable and thus contribute to alternative solutions to the disposable surgical mask. This model was designed with the help of volunteers. Qualité The quality tests carried out made it possible to define the pattern and composition allowing a level of protection similar in terms of particles to that of conventional disposable surgical masks. ✅ Today, we can launch the production of these masks in our workshops. To expand our production, the Lille University Hospital and Lemahieu have extended production to the Le Souffle du Nord community. Together we need you. We are looking for fashion designers in EMERGENCY to assemble masks at HOME whose model and materials have been VALIDATED by LE CHU DE LILLE. If your sewing machine is ready, that you are careful, that you are available and willing to help ... we invite you to visit this page: https://bit.ly/2xebXfW Share this post. Join us. Together we are stronger. 💪. . . # covid_19 # solidarity #coronavirus #france #couture #medical #Lemahieu @chulille @lesouffledunord @weo_tv @ tf1lejt @ esprithautsdefrance @region_hautsdefrance
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The first production of 3,000 units, intended for hospital staff, will be provided by the Lemahieu company, located in Saint-André, near Lille. For the occasion, this company, which usually manufactures lingerie, has relaunched its machines that were stopped because of the epidemic. In a second step, production will be expanded, in particular thanks to the participation of voluntary dressmakers and companies. The masks may be distributed outside the CHU, sold at cost price or donated through patronage.
The Gfarridou model and brand have been registered "in order to limit the risk of counterfeits", continues the Lille University Hospital. However, the establishment intends to make the Garridou solution available to all hospitals in France.
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- Health
- Lille
- Coronavirus
- epidemic