Cover photo: Envoy Safety Analyst Myrna Fletcher makes masks in her home studio.

People around the world are joining the effort to flatten the curve in droves. With protective face masks being a relatively quick sewing project, those who know their way around a sewing machine are mobilizing to make all kinds of facial coverings for their communities.

All across Envoy’s system, our employees are producing hundreds of the much needed masks at home, and some are even bringing their sewing equipment to the airport. This is one Silver Lining that can not only make a difference in their lives at work, but also in the lives of others in the community like frontline healthcare workers.

Dozens of Myrna’s masks in several different patterns organized on her sewing table.

Safety Analyst Myrna Fletcher saw such an opportunity when her sister, who is a nurse, mentioned that they were running low on masks and other personal protective equipment.

“So I researched how to make cloth masks, and figured I could make some so that she could wear over the N95 (medical-grade) mask to give daily longevity,” said Myrna.

When Flight Attendant Leah Plummer heard the news that masks were recommended to be worn on the job, she packed up her sewing machine, fabric and elastic to bring into the crew lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

After three days, she estimates she made about 90 masks for Flight Attendants and other employees.

Envoy Flight Attendant Leah Plummer sitting behind her sewing machine at the DFW crew lounge.

“Once I heard that we were going to be wearing masks, I knew I wanted to make them for us,” Leah said. “Setting up my sewing in the crew lounge allowed me to give them out to our people as soon as possible.”

All together now

From Fargo, where the general manager and his wife are making masks for Envoy employees, to DFW, where the Customer Services team has set up a pop-up sewing shop (pictured above), Envoy employees are looking out for the community and one another. Even though the company has pledged to provide masks for frontline employees, that supply is limited and arriving slower than hoped. That’s why employees pitching in and making their own in the meantime is encouraged.

In Redmond, Oregon, Airport Agent Daisy Jensen noticed that even when making masks of her own, there’s a limit on supplies.

“Sometimes elastic isn’t available, so we have to make strips on 3D printers to help tie the masks,” said Daisy, who has been making masks with a Facebook group of women in the Oregon area. “There is a whole team of minds at work. It is the most I have seen this community come together.”

Four Envoy Flight Attendants wearing Leah’s masks in the DFW crew lounge.

Now more than ever, coming together is necessary. The Envoy family is thankfully heeding that call, and uniting to help curb this crisis and get back to a better future.

“There is such a large need in and around our communities for volunteers to do what they can,” said Myrna. “There’s nothing more gratifying than knowing that you and the people you care about are doing something for the greater good.”

Know any more “silver linings”? Send us an email at Envoy.News@aa.com. We’d love to share your stories of perseverance and hope during this COVID-19 crisis.