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SALISBURY, MD---As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues causing shortages in personal protective equipment, students have joined Dr. Leslie Yarmo associate professor and costume designer in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s Music, Theatre and Dance Department to create face masks for Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) and assisted living facilities in the region, now being asked to increase production.

While one of Yarmo’s students is busy constructing disposable masks for PRMC staff with materials supplied by the hospital, Yarmo has been researching reusable masks. 

The reusable masks would be multi-layer pieces, made with 100 percent cotton, including the ties, which could be sterilized with bleach and a hot wash, and would include a pocket for a filter. 

The filter would be easily accessible blue shop paper towels. (Some have suggested making full masks out of these, as well, but they would not be reusable.) With Yarmo’s design, after washing the mask, a fresh piece of towel could be inserted into the pocket for the next use.

Along with reusability, Yarmo has designed her masks to be easily adjustable in size for a better fit, noting that masks should be as air-tight as possible to trap dangerous particles in the fabric and filter. Unlike masks with elastic ties, Yarmo’s design will not break down when washed repeatedly with bleach.

Yarmo is currently working with two students, but plans to add more shortly as production increases.

Students Host Job Search Webinar April 30

Throughout the pandemic, help has been needed on many different fronts. In SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, students in Paula Morris’ management and marketing class are working to help their peers and others find jobs in these turbulent times.

Over the past three years, the class has built their and adjusted it based on analytics. This semester, the students decided the site needed a , fine-tuned to the times.

The page has spurned so much interest that the students have developed and will be hosting a related webinar, “Are You Ready to Shine?” 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Available for free to the public, it will feature job search help now and for when the economy rebounds.

Speakers include Morris; Kevin Fallon, SU Career Services director; Kate Kearns of HubSpot Campus Recruiting; and Ryan McGuire of The Harrington Agency. Registration for the webinar is .

Wagner Assists Local Food Service Employees

Some are finding that their passions can be of great benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Diana Wagner, associate professor of education leadership, recently put her musical talents to use, hosting a fundraiser to benefit employees of the historic Washington Inn and Tavern in Princess Anne, MD.

Wagner plays there regularly, but with the pandemic, the establishment is closed and its workers have been laid off. Wagner recently held a Friday happy hour via Facebook Live, with optional tips to support the laid off workers.

The event raised $500 for the staff and has been viewed more than 300 times. Wagner also has pledged to donate all virtual tips received through her website to the Washington Inn and Tavern staff.

The next live event is scheduled 6 p.m. Friday, May 15, .

Nursing Alumna on the Frontlines

SU alumni continue to battle the pandemic on the frontlines. Alumna Marina DiMattia ’13 is a triage nurse at Manhattan’s Lenox Hill Hospital. In a special feature, The New York Times walked readers through a day in her life as a critical healthcare worker in one of the nation’s COVID-19 hotspots. The story is .

Are you or someone you know a member of the SU community who is helping in the battle against COVID-19? Send a message to Tim Brennan, assistant director of public relations, with details so we can share their story.