Health care workers wearing masks more comfortably, thanks to South Shore 12-year-old

ROCKLAND, Mass. — Twelve-year-old Harry Holbrook is spending a lot of time at his computer, but it’s not all schoolwork.

The Rockland sixth-grader is using his 3D printer to make mask relief bands for nurses and health care workers after he found a design online and began making the homemade extenders.

"It's a good feeling when you know you helped someone today," said Holbrook.

The extenders help relieve soreness around the ears since many nurses and health care workers are wearing the masks for hours on end.

"It takes the plastic away from behind the ear and moves it to the back of the head, which makes it more comfortable."

Jen Holbrook, Harry's mother, says the extenders are adjustable so they are a good fit for anybody.

"If you have a larger head those elastics are going to pull harder, if you have a smaller head they may not fit as well and it could leave maybe you have some area that is exposed this makes it a little tighter and it takes the pain away from the back of the head," she said.

Harry prints about 20 extenders per day. Each one comes with a note that says, "We save your ears so you can save the world."

“We can only print a small amount every day but if we can get other people involved we can increase the amt exponentially,” said Harry.

Anyone with a 3D printer can make the extenders. Holbrook is donating every single one and is getting orders from all over, from Boston and New York City to North Carolina.

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RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

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