Our mission.

Dear friend,

Thank you for visiting Mask Up’s website. We deeply appreciate your support and willingness to step up to help your community. As I write this, the Coronavirus pandemic is a critical threat to society as we know it. From the short term danger which the virus poses to the health and well being of ourselves and our loved ones, to the long term economic disruption that this virus has caused, it is crucial that we do everything we can to slow its spread and flatten the curve.

Recently the CDC has announced new data finding that COVID-19 can be asymptomatic in 1 out of 4 cases. What that means is that there are already thousands of people across America that carry the Coronavirus without presenting any of its associated symptoms. All it takes is one person who unknowingly carries the virus to go to a crowded place and there is the potential for dozens of infections. Widespread usage of simple, homemade cloth masks would help protect against the spreading of the virus by asymptomatic people through adding a layer of protection to catch contaminated droplets when they cough.

That’s why my peers and I have launched Mask Up, a student run organization determined to increase access to face masks and encourage mask usage. We are bringing together our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members to make and distribute masks throughout Cambridge.

Our mission is two fold: providing masks to those who need them in our community, and organizing people through the power of the internet to make and wear face masks when they leave the home.

But we can only accomplish this with your help. No matter your circumstances or situation there is a way for you to support our work. Whether that is through donating to our GoFundMe or contributing old clothes to be made into masks, or cutting fabric or sewing masks from home, or even just sharing our content on social media, we need your help to make a difference.

So thank you for visiting us and thank you for your support.

Stay safe and healthy,

Luke Santos — Executive Director, Mask Up