An Irish costume designer says the demand for her specially-designed face masks was so high she had to close the website offering them for sale after just ten minutes.
The Government is now advising people to wear face coverings in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing, such as in shops or on public transport.
The new advice is not mandatory, but it has led to another surge in demand for face masks as more people prepare to return to work from Monday.
Kildare-based designer Fionnuala Bourke spoke to Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh about why she has started designing masks in recent weeks.
She explained: “It all started around 3-4 weeks ago, and my aunt wanted a mask. She lives near the seafront in Bray, and she’s recovering from cancer - she wanted some kind of a face covering, before there was any discussion of everybody wearing them.
“My dad has a background in [...] risk management, so if I was to make one it had to be a good one, according to him.
“My aunt really liked what I made, so I thought I could really help people in my area if I continue to make more of them."
Fionnuala initially started with one style of mask, designed for workers such as postal workers or delivery people who may need to wear masks for longer periods of time.
However, that has since been expanded to four different styles of mask.
Fionnuala explained: “We do layers of cotton, and then a layer of interfacing sandwiched in between. Interfacing is a non-woven fabric that’s used for stiffening of collars in suits and shirts. That acts as a barrier or filter.
“It might sound thick, but it’s not very thick at all… they’re all washable and reusable as well."
Donations and sales
Extra help has now had to be brought in to meet demand for the masks - both in terms of sales and donations for those who need it.
Fionnuala said: "We launched a website, and we had to close the website within ten minutes as we just got flooded with orders coming in - we do have a waiting list for that.
“As regards donations, it started off as Kildare - people in nursing homes in the Celbridge area. But messages kept coming in from further afield.
"I’m now sending donation packages down to Cork… to the UK… wherever we can send some packs of masks, we’re more than happy to do it if we can fulfill the order."
Fionnuala has launched a GoFundMe page to help fund donations, while she is also using her Instagram account to show her work.
She also offered some advice to anyone who may find themselves wearing a face mask in the coming days and weeks.
She said: “I would advise, if it all possible, not to be touching the front of your mask. Wash your hands before you need to touch your mask.
“I advise people to wear one on public transport, and have a spare [clean] one in your bag in case you get splashed with water or somebody coughs on you."
She noted that people can make their own masks at home if needed - using soft cotton such as old pillow cases or t-shirts - but stressed that having several layers is important to ensure a good level of protection.
