Lucas Dzeryk might be young, but he wants to show support for front-line medical workers.
Lucas, a 14-year-old Estevan resident, has been using a 3D printer that he received for his birthday to create surgical mask clips for front-line healthcare workers.
He heard about a boy his age in B.C. who was doing something similar with a 3D printer. Once Lucas realized it was something he could do, he started the process, because it seemed like it would be fairly simple.
“I go online to this 3D website called Thingiverse, and I searched masked attachments, and this one from the B.C. boy showed up, so I downloaded it. And then I send it to the printer and just print a bunch of the clips.”
One strap would be required for each mask, and it only takes around 10 minutes to make one.
Lucas’ mother Melanie said it appears that wearing a mask daily for their entire shift is rubbing the back of the workers’ ears raw, and so they are looking for ways to keep a mask off of their ears.
The clip that keeps the mask off of their ears can be easily disinfected after each shift, can be transferred to a different mask for repeated use, and is comfortable to wear.
Clips have been sent to the Estevan Regional Nursing Home and other health care facilities. A couple have gone to St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Lucas has received more requests for clips from hospital staff.
“Everyone’s very happy and pleased that I’m doing this,” he said.
Melanie Dzeryk noted he printed one out last week and they posted it on various Facebook Estevan sites, explaining to front line workers that they could get this clip for free just by contacting the Dzeryk family.
He expects he will continue to do this until life returns to normal from COVID-19. He’s not sure how many more he’ll print, so he’ll keep making them until he stops receiving requests.
“I’m surprised at how many people need them and want them,” he said.
