Alexis Williams, founder of a local clothing boutique in Gulfport, MS, is doing her part to simultaneously fight the spread of the coronavirus and bring awareness to African culture. Her company, Aloha Glamour, is selling reusable Ankara-print face masks in response to the desperate need for protective measures against the spread of COVID-19.
The face masks are not N95 certified, but they are big enough to wear over top of a N95 mask. This helps with keeping your hands off your face, which is one of the primamry ways in which the virus spreads.
For every face mask sold, Williams is donating a free one to local health care workers.
“My masks are 100% cotton, reversible, reusable and machine washable,” says Williams, whose boutique specializes in African-print and Hawaiian-inspired clothing. “My masks are not meant to replace surgical masks, but it is a contingency plan for those who don’t have the ability to get surgical masks because of the shortage. It is not medical rated, but it is good enough to filter our hazardous particles and bad smells. The response to it has been overwhelming and we want to do anything we can to help out.”
Williams says when she began selling the masks through her website and on social media last week in hopes that it would help others, the response was tremendous. Soon, she said, members of the healthcare community began reaching out to order masks as well.
“I decided to encourage my other customers to help provide masks for those on the front line in this pandemic battle,” Williams said. “I asked them to make contributions so my business could provide face masks for someone in public service for free. Several of my customers have responded by donating to help in this important effort.”
For more details and/or to make a purchase, visit www.alohaglamour.shop
All questions and inquiries should be address to alexis@alohaglamourboutique.com