Items

• 
  2020-08-07

  Everyone Needs a Mask!

  My mum sent me this very adorable photo of my dog wearing a face mask to gently remind me to wear a mask while in public to keep me safe from COVID-19. In Victoria, masks have been mandated in all public areas since July, regardless of social distancing. My mum sent this photo to some of our friends and family too, to cheer them up during the difficult times Victoria was going through at the time with a strong rise in cases. She had also reminded me, like with how our dog Snowy was wearing it in the photo, to make to cover both the mouth and the nose for the mask to function properly. Snowy did not much like wearing the mask, but he certainly looked extremely cute in it! Although at the time when my mum sent me this picture she had meant it as a joke, unfortunately with the new strain of the COVID mutation rumouring to originate from minks in Denmark, the possibility of dogs or cats contracting COVID-19 perhaps isn't so far-fetched. Remember to wear a mask and stay safe!
• 
  2020

  Analysing Dan Andrew’s Outfits During a Pandemic

  HIST30060: Making History Since March 2020, Melbourne has collectively been in lockdown for 112 days – apparently, the longest lockdown in the world. The definition of ‘lockdown’ has gone through a few editions, but it largely meant that people could only leave their homes for (four) essential reasons, most physical stores were not open or were limited to click-and-collect or takeaway, you could not see more than 1-2 people outside the people you live with, and this seemingly perpetual sense of not being able to do anything. A key element of this period was the anticipation (or dread) of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ daily coronavirus update press conferences. The attention on these daily updates intensified to the point of codifying Andrews’ outfits to deduce whether his announcements would be happy or upsetting for Victorians keen to get out of lockdown. If he was in full business suit: bad, restrictions are about to get harsher, if he was wearing a North Face puffer jacket: good, you and your mates might be able to get your beers on again.
• 
  2020-11-08

  Masks masks masks

  HIST30060 This photograph is of the variety of the face masks used by myself and my sister throughout this pandemic. I like how it shows the variation in information that was received by "Dan the Man", Premier Daniel Andrews. First, any type of mask was allowed to be used (including some single-layer ones seen here). Then the recommendation was triple-layered masks. And now, face shields are not allowed to be worn. Not that my sister or I ever actually wore the face shield - that was given to us by our grandmother. Actually, all of the masks we have were sewed by our grandmother. For that, I am grateful because it saved us from having to deal with the rush of finding and purchasing masks after were made mandatory. I like to think that if people time travelled to today from even a year ago, they would question such an odd fashion choice. And that is what they have become for a lot of people, a fashion choice. I recall seeing during the Melbourne Cup a lot of co-ordinated masks with outfits, and they have opened an avenue for people to display their interests on their face. A new and unexpected way for people to connect, even as our expressions are being masked. All I can say is that I'm grateful for the majority of Melbournians taking to these masks, and even though we had our fair share of "Bunnings Karen," we are far better off than other countries.
• 
  2020-05-25

  Jewish Melbourne: Fella Hamilton makes PPE

  The Australian Jewish News reported on Fella Hamilton making PPE: "WITH delays of several weeks in the arrival of imported masks, surgical gowns and scrubs to manage COVID-19, an Australian garment label founded by a Holocaust survivor has stepped up, converting its facilities to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) wearables. The Fella Hamilton company has responded to an Australian government call for factories to retool to make products that help the fight against COVID-19. Sharon Hamilton, CEO, and her husband David, son of founder Fella Hamilton, decided to take action, switching fashion wear production at their Melbourne factory to PPE products." "Sharon said Jewish doctors have helped the company design isolation gowns now in use at Cabrini Health Australia and other private hospitals in Melbourne, and a WA aged-care provider."
• 
  2020-11-04

  Cover Up

  HIST30060. When masks became mandatory, my family, like many others I assumed, scrambled to get some in time. Our first lot was made from fabric scraps by a clothing brand my mum liked, our second batch was made by a family friend before it was mandatory, and then from that point they came from all different places. I got some from my partner who had bought a few, my brother got one from school with "Class of 2020" when he finished his year 12 classes, my mum got some from work which are surprisingly soft. Masks seem to be a touchy subject among people and though I am not a very confrontative person, I will glare and stare at anyone not wearing a mask or wearing one incorrectly. They can be a bit constraining yes and if one has to wear it all day it would most likely be tiring and probably sweaty. I'm somewhat thankful that we had our lockdown largely during winter, when people weren't as itching to get outside as they are now that it's becoming warmer. If COVID-19 was at it's height during summer, I imagine a lot more people would have suffered, cause who would want to wear a stifling mask on 40 degree day. I don't know if masks will become a staple of winter times in Australia as they are in countries like Japan whenever cold season begins again, but I'm curious to see if all these masks were just for a pandemic people will only care about the next time a similar one occurs.
• 
  2020-06-26

  Jewish Melbourne: St Kilda Hebrew Congregation newsletter update 26 June

  In this newsletter update, information is provided about online activities within the Congregation's community, including about a special event that took place that discussed mask-wearing for Covid-19, with Dr Norman Swan.
• 
  2020-08-20

  Jewish Melbourne: making masks as a fundraiser for Chevra Hatzolah

  This is a facebook post by Chevra Hatzolah, including a photo and the words: "Frances Spanger (known to many of us as "Granny") began making masks at the beginning of COVID-19 for all her friends. She gets up at 5am every morning and works hard making masks for the community. In just one month, she has raised $500 which she decided to donate to Hatzolah. Thank you Frances for the incredible work that you are doing to keep our community safe. We are all very grateful."
• 
  26/05/20

  A Victorian-Inspired Reticule

  This item was the first thing I created once entering isolation. A project that I have been putting off for several months, it created an outlet for me to channel the initial nervous energy of the isolation situation. In this I contributed to a larger trend on Instagram in the sewing community, #sewcialdistancing, in which cosplayers, embroiderers, historical costumers, and other sewers began channeling their own excess energy into projects.
• 
  2020-03-22

  Sewing fabric masks

  This is a photo of my wife making a set of fabric masks for the family as no masks have been available to purchase. There were many patterns available to download online or instructional youtube videos. This design allows for one to insert a disposable tissue or paper wipe for additional protection. My wife wore her mask once or twice to the supermarket, other than that we have not had cause to use them.
• 
  03/17/2020

  Handmade ‘glove’ using crocheted wrist band with recycled plastic bags.

  I didn’t want to waste gloves that Health workers might need. We were all getting inventive about protective gear.