Laboring hours over a sewing machine in a small room tucked away in the belly of the Centre Theatre is nothing new to Kristin Richardson.

It’s what you do when you are a member of the costume department for the El Reno Community Theatre.

However, instead of stitching fabric for ERTC’s upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast, Richardson is sewing and cutting through piles of fabric for the health of the city.

With El Reno under a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak, residents have been urged by Mayor Matt White and the city council to wear face masks that cover the mouth and nose when out in public.

Richardson knows there is a need for such masks and hopes her efforts can turn into some financial help for the ERCT’s first-ever musical endeavor. The ERCT is a nonprofit group.

“We are asking for a minimal donation of $5 each. All that money goes toward this musical. The money we make from this production will then go to pay for future productions,” said Richardson.

So Richardson has been sewing thousands of stitches on masks that are the three-fold design. She is one of five group members behind their sewing machines as Macy Conley, Katie Vandiver, Keri Peavler and Denise Harris have been working from home.

Each mask has a small pocket that comes with a filter when purchased.

“You will need to wash and dry the masks but the filters need to be changed several times a day. You can use an old T-shirt, fabric or even a piece of flannel,” said Richardson.

Richardson said it’s a labor of love for all six seamstresses.

“Now I can make 10 to 15 masks per hour. I don’t know how much fabric it takes for each mask because I’ve not measured it because all the fabric is coming in all different sizes. If I had to take a guess, it would be three-eighths of a yard,” said Richardson.

The response from the public has been steady. All the fabric being used for each mask has been donated as well as other supplies.

“This is fun but I’m ready to get back to Beauty and the Beast costumes. This is a need for the public and at this point I’ve got to make about 70 masks to catch up and I’ve got orders on my phone that I’ve not written down yet.

“So there is a need from the public,” said Richardson.

Each mask the ladies make helps keep one more mask in the pool for medical providers and first responders.

“It’s important to keep the medical-style masks for our first responders. We have some nurses that have ordered our masks but I think they have been getting those for nursing homes,” said Richardson.

Richardson said the masks are not the medical-grade style but they will serve as a first line of personal defense against the coronavirus.

“What these masks will do is keep other people’s germs off you and by you wearing the mask will keep your germs off everybody else. It’s basically helping out each other by wearing them.

“The sooner everyone wears them, the sooner we can get back to normal,” said Richardson.

The city council has approved an ordinance that could fine someone $100 for not wearing a mask while interacting with the public. Masks are not required if someone is working in the yard, walking through the neighborhood or park, playing golf or fishing.

Richardson said avoiding the fine should not be the reason to wear some sort of face covering.

“Just wear them. It’s simple and not hurting anyone. If you are not going to wear one, then just don’t leave your house. If you are not going to protect yourself, think about other people,” she said.