Woman Makes Masks and Hangs Them on Tree for Others to Take

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Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. do (one’s) part / du pɑrt / (idiom) – to do something to help achieve a certain result
    Example:

    The students are doing their part in keeping their classroom clean.


  2. put (something) to good use / pʊt tʊ gʊd yuz / (idiom) – to apply a skill or knowledge for a purpose or need
    Example:

    Our supervisor encourages us to put our talents to good use during teambuilding activities.


  3. shortage / ˈʃɔr tɪdʒ / (n) – lack in number or amount
    Example:

    There is a shortage of protective medical equipment in the country because of increasing demand.


  4. on a first-come, first-served basis / ɒn ə fɜrst kʌm fɜrst sɜrvd ˈbeɪ sɪs / (idiom) – in the order in which people or requests arrive
    Example:

    We need to wait our turn since reservations in this restaurant are made on a first-come, first-served basis.


  5. restock / riˈstɒk / (v) – to replace supplies that have run out
    Example:

    Bakery owners are restocking flour for their production in the coming weeks.


Article

Read the text below.

A woman from the United States is giving free masks to locals in her town.


Deb Siggins, a resident of Lisbon, Iowa, wanted to do her part to help her community by putting her crafting talent to good use. She started making masks when local hospital UnityPoint St. Luke’s experienced a mask shortage in March. Her first goal was to create 100 masks to donate to the hospital.


After her initial donation, Siggins continued to create more masks, but this time she made them to give to family and friends. All the expenses in creating the masks were shouldered by Siggins herself.


Realizing that it would be difficult to practice social distancing if she personally handed out her DIY masks, she decided to hang them on a tree in her front lawn instead. To let her family and friends know about her tree of masks project, Siggins posted about it on Facebook.


The tree can hold around 30 masks. Residents can get masks on a first-come, first-served basis. According to Siggins, she restocks them regularly as they are usually gone after a day.


Siggins said she enjoys watching people visit her tree. She mentioned that her little project has become a hit.


In an interview, Siggins said that she is a giver, so she feels happy when people use the free masks she made. She added that she plans to continue creating masks until they are no longer needed.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think putting masks on a tree is the best way to give them out? Why or why not?
• What other DIY projects do you think people can do to help others during a pandemic? Discuss.

Discussion B

• What other inspiring acts have you seen or heard about during this pandemic? Discuss.
• Should everyone be expected to help others during a difficult time? Explain.