Longmeadow High student leads charge on creating face shields

June 17, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

WESTFIELD – The news spread quickly and businesspeople from around downtown came over to Vivid Hair Salon on Elm Street to pick up free masks and face shields provided by Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

Cocchi told Reminder Publishing the distribution to businesses, especially the beauty salons and barbers shops now that Gov. Charlie Baker has authorized their opening, will be repeated throughout the county.

Cocchi personally handed out the protective gear along with Humason.

The initial distribution came about through a phone conversation between Mayor Don Humason, and the sheriff.

Cocchi said with a smile, “The mayor asked what we could do for Westfield.”

The frames for the for the face shields were produced by 3D-Printing Collaborative of local high school students led by Sontino Allentuck, a junior at Longmeadow High School. The sheriff’s York Street Industries staff then assembled the face shields, as well as produced the cloth masks.

One of the stylists for the salon immediately tried on her new face shield, and wore it as she reported for work. Another person, who identified himself as coming from Easthampton, picked up shields and masks.

Basia Belz, owner of Vivid Hair Salon, said being closed because of the pandemic was “devastating.” She tried to remain in contact with her customers as much as she could.

With the opening, she is “very, very busy. We have a waiting list. You can only take so many people at a time.”

She added the new regulations to try to ensure everyone’s safety is “difficult” and added, “We are all willing to do what it takes. It’s worth it.”

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