Better Ask Barry: Need masks? Here’s one source

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, more and more companies are retooling their plants to produce medical equipment and protective gear.

In Los Angeles, a clothing company is now producing masks on a massive scale.

Bella+Canvas converted is manufacturing plant to provide face coverings for low-income families, shelters, groups and governments around the world.

“Our manufacturing facility is very unique. There's really nothing like it in the world and so we've spent all this time and effort building this machine that can make really precise product so the masks were very logical," said Marco DiGeorge, company cofounder.

The company has already donated thousands of masks to different hospitals and law enforcement.  The masks are sent in large quantities as they are supposed to be thrown away after a few uses.

“You have bacteria in your mouth just naturally and over the course of many days in a row, if you have bacteria that you're breathing in for seven days straight, that's not going to be good for you," said DiGeorge.

DiGeorge also warns that people should avoid having their masks come in contact with often-touched surfaces like our keys or counter tops.

"You have to try and do your best and we need to get everyone back to some sort of normalcy," he said. "If wearing masks is a component in that, then we need to do as much as we can to make that happen."

DiGeorge says Bella+Canvas can send large quantities of masks for free. To learn more, or request masks, contact the company at this email address: facemasks@bellacanvas.com.