Louisiana has one of the highest rates of deaths from COVID-19 in the nation. More than 59% percent of individuals that have died so far were African Americans. Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has been scary for everyone, but especially for pregnant women in the state of Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health is partnering with SewDat.com to help make in-person clinical visits less scary for mothers in the state. The Masks for Mothers campaign would like to provide reusable cloth face coverings to mothers and expecting mothers who need them in New Orleans and ensure that pregnant women have access to face coverings during prenatal visits and when they arrive at hospitals for delivery. The Louisiana Department of Health has also partnered with community-based clinics to provide face coverings during in-person clinician visits and labor delivery.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask or face covering when leaving your home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Expecting mothers who are about to give birth will benefit from reduced stress from wearing the reusable cloth face covering while interacting with their prenatal care physician. Expecting mothers can walk-in and request a free face covering at the clinics on the east and west banks of New Orleans including Gentilly and New Orleans East.