Volunteers across the United States and Canada have come together to provide masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders and hospitals. Sheet Metal unions across the country and members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) are teaming up with metal fabricators to manufacture free metal nose pieces to be mailed to thousands of volunteers that fill out the request form on their website. East Coast Metal Systems (ECMS) partnered with Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 to assist in this nationwide effort to provide necessary aluminum nose pieces for health care workers.

“The aluminum that is needed is in short supply right now. ECMS was the first fabricator I called, primarily because of the size of the shop. I figured they would have every type of metal we’d need there,” said Scott Mazzulli, Business Representative for Local 33. “We’re sending out hundreds of these a day from our location to all over the region. They’re for everyone who needs them.”

The CDC has recommended that everyone wear masks when outside of their home in an effort to combat the asymptomatic spread of COVID-19. The masks act as a barrier to protect you and others from spreading the virus, as it can spread through close contact. The nose clips help in keeping the mask comfortable and close to your face, avoiding slippage and gaps so you do not need to touch it to adjust.

“We’ve always had a great relationship with our local unions, and when we were asked to help, we were happy to do so,” said John Trifonoff, Vice President of East Coast Metal Systems. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to assist in any way we can during this time of crisis.”

To request metal nose pieces for masks, please visit https://actionnetwork.org/forms/nose-piece-request-form