5M - MILITANT MASK MAKING MILITIA MOVEMENT

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF
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I am Zam Barrett, a  Jamaican born, clothing designer based in Brooklyn New York with a small factory where we produce our own products.
Before I established my design company, from 2005 to 2008 I spent 3.5 years working in a research and design firm Crye Associates  that catered to the united States Military. 
We designed the Uniform for Soldiers, Safety equipment, Body Armor, Biohazard gear etc. Generally the kind of products that kept our soldiers safe and allows them to function in high stress conditions with the goal being to keep them alive.

Working in this feild gave me an insight into a fundamental reality that clothing can and often should serve more than just an aesthetic purpose but also a functional one.

WHAT AM I SEEKING TO FUND
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With the breakout of the Coronavirus Pandemic, I had designed a series of  face masks, I had intended to sell to friends and customers who may have needed them. I had two basic criteria for the masks I created.

1. They were to look stylish.

2. they had to function in performing some level of safely and protection for the wearer. 
As we designed these masks, our customers bought  them up very quickly, in the first day without any marketing, we sold fifteen, another day we sold 25. in a 15 minute presentation to appromimately 12 persons, we sold over 30!

  I did not want to make simply a cool item that served no protective purpose. I still had that approach in me, that was utilized first and foremost in the creation of body armor for military men while working at Crye. The Product needed to perform, to reduce the risk of injury and increase the safety of its user

Over time, I began to realize that not only would my friends and family need the masks, but that there was a HUGE shortage of both N95 standard masks and also medical surgical masks for Doctors, Nurses and all types of professionals who are working on the frontlines to mitigate the effects of this virus and to save lives.

My Vision began to evolve. It was no longer about making a cool product, but became about fighting an enemy that has no regard for race, religion, sexuality, gender, national borders etc.  Coronavirus is now a pandemic.  Every person, family, community and nation must fight against its onslaught.  Humanity has never faced an enemy like this in our lifetime! It is our duty to do whatever we can to fight back the onslaught of this virus  on the health and lives of millions across the world

THE GOAL
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There is a significant shortage of protective masks on the world market. in my home state New York, In my country the United States, and my birth home Jamaica. This is a global problem. and I have created a product that has the ability to play a significant role in reducing the risk of contactinf this virus and extending the use life of N95 Masks

I have created a mask the ZB - VP2, that is made from waterproof Nylon + Cotton blend that repels water and the kind of respiratory droplets that are the main  means by which the virus is spread. It also functions as a casing fro an N95 respiratory masks. What this does it that it allow for extended use of an N95 mask that will enable our medical professionals and all who needs to wear a masks to fight against this Virus, to extend the life cycle of a product that is  needed now and is in high demand but great shortage.

I its demostrably true  that this product will help to protect its wearer, greatly reducing the risk of contacting the Coronavirus, but also extending the life cycle of an N95 masks that by all scientific accounts, has been proven to be an effective wall of defense in contracting this.

I am convinced by all research that all persons wearing a masks in public spaces is an effective part of a Multipronged strategy to mitigate the effects of this virus. It is what has been done in China, South Korea, Thailand and all other countries who have been able to flatten "the Proverbial curve"

WHAT WE ARE SEEKING
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Currently we have two people in our studios working on masks making, we have sold over 110 masks in the last 4 days with significant inquiries into them. but our goal is bigger than that. 

We hope to produce these masks and distribute them to Doctors, Nurses, Hospitals, Policemen, Private Citizens, Homeless shelters.  The elderly and persons whose immune system has been compromised and need added protection from the effects of this virus.

We are seeking a total of $40,000 which will help us to hire additional workers, and buy the supplies needed to take the project on a mass scale.  I am truly committed to helping as much people as I can. we have now invested over 6K of personal funds into this and doing as much as we can. your help will allow us to increase production and distribution.

We have decided to make only a single style of the masks, as that approach will increase efficiency in both time and materials to get these products to the people who need them as soon as possible. we hope to Hire two additional seamstresses, along with one additional person to cut large batches. A fourth hire will lead the charge in packing, shipping and distribution of these masks.

All masks will be sold at $25. Previous prices ranged from $35 to 86 for the (discontnued for now, ZB -VP1 in perforated leather).

 

OUR HOPE
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Our hope is that you become a part of this movement, we hope to partner with other designers, and factories, in producing these life saving items, we hope to provide patterns to those who need them, so that others can produce in thier local communities, and distribute to peoples in areas we are unable to reach. we can fight this enemy, we can win, and we are determined to do so ONE MASK AT A TIME!