Judith Wiener, assistant director and associate professor at the Health Sciences Library, and Kristin Rodgers, curator of the Medical Heritage Center, primarily worked at home at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. They wore masks in public spaces and when they returned to working in the library.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in coordination with other federal government agencies began distributing cloth masks in April 2020 to workers in critical sectors such as food production, infrastructure, and transportation. The cloth masks were not intended for use in medical settings, but to be used by essential workers for whom medical grade personal protective equipment was not required.
The COVID-19 Mask Collection (0.5 linear feet) is comprised of 26 masks worn by Kristin Rodgers, Judith Wiener and members of her family during the COVID-19 pandemic. The masks are made from different types of fabric and have a variety of patterns and colors. Sizes vary as there are masks in the collection that were worn by children and adults. Additionally, the collection contains an unopened package of four white cloth masks sent to the Health Sciences Library by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The package is labeled “Do Your Part: Help Stop the Spread” and provides information about how proper use of the masks limits spread of the COVID-19 virus.
This collection is arranged by item.
The collection is open to the public and is available for viewing in the Medical Heritage Center. Materials do not circulate and must be used in the supervised reading room. Restrictions, including copyright, may exist and some materials may be too fragile to photocopy or digitize. The MHC charges for duplication services, which must be performed by staff.
[Identification of item], COVID-19 Mask Collection, SPEC.202419.COVIDMASK, Medical Heritage Center, Health Sciences Library, The Ohio State University.