Daytona Beach company stops making swimwear, starts making protective gear
The seamstresses at Blue Sky Design Studio in Daytona Beach usually make custom swimsuits and tennis outfits.
Now though, they are focusing on creating something to help others during the coronavirus outbreak.
Linda Kaplan, Blue Sky's owner, found out a few weeks ago she could create protective masks using the same fabrics as athletic wear.
The stretchable material has antibacterial properties that staff at Blue Sky said they were able to develop into a prototype mask for firefighters to use within an hour and a half.
“We were very excited that we could make them and it would make people feel safer,” Kaplan said.
Last week, Kaplan decided the company will only make masks, putting all her swimwear orders on hold.
“We're producing about 250-300 a day right now. We're hoping to ramp that up, because the need is there,” Kaplan said.
For every two masks they sell, Blue Sky donates one to first responders. Kaplan is trying to provide enough for each fire department in Volusia County.
“I went to the Ormond Beach to deliver the fire masks to them and the gratitude and the actual relief that I saw on the guy's faces made me feel great,” Kaplan said.
While the nation is facing a shortage of protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, Kaplan says local businesses are ordering hundreds of masks, and in turn providing firefighters with safety equipment.
“At a time when we are all supposed to be apart, I feel like the community is bringing us together,” Kaplan said.