Face masks are increasingly becoming part-and-parcel of everyday life.
Just this week, a new law in Britain has come into place stating that the public must wear masks on public transport and in hospitals. The announcement comes as the nation looks to settle back into something that resembles normality. [Featured Image: MASKEY]
We’ve already rounded up a list of places to buy reusable face masks, but what if you’re out and about and find yourself in urgent need? Well, a new London-based company MASKEY have come up with the brilliant idea of creating vending machines that dispense masks. So, if you find yourself needing to catch the train, but don’t have a mask to hand, this could be a godsend. Plus, since it’s also recommended that you wear a mask anywhere that social distancing isn’t possible, these so-called Vendamask machines could be useful when you find yourself in such a situation unexpectedly.
This is a simple and easy initiative—but it could make all the difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
MASKEY vending machines, or Vendamask machines, are currently installed in 10 spots around London, Essex and Surrey, with a view to adding more. The machines sit in shopping centres and outside stores and underground stations, with masks priced from £6-8. They’re machine washable and even come in a host of fun prints.
Current locations:
Hamleys – Regent Street, London
Chigwell – Mace Convenience Store
Loughton – Brick Lane Bagel Shop
Woodford – Opposite Woodford Station
Redhill – The Belfry Shopping Center
Luton – The Mall
Basildon – Eastgate Shopping Center (2 Vendamask machines)
Slough – Queensmere Observatory Shopping Center
Southend-on-Sea – Victoria Shopping Center
The idea for MASKEY came after founder Adam Freeman saw that his friend’s suit manufacturing company was struggling during the pandemic. So they teamed up to manufacture fashionable face masks instead, and it’s been a huge success so far.
The masks are all made by a machinist wearing a face mask and gloves, and within seconds of being completed, the items are steamed at over 90 degrees and instantly placed into a sealed plastic wallet. No one is allowed to enter the factory without a face mask and gloves.
10% of the profit from each sale will be donated to the charity Lenderhand, which is currently supporting the NHS along with individuals and families in need during this crisis.