Bra-vo to Matty who says crisis not a ‘Storm in a D Cup’ and makes facemasks from a bra
GOREY Man Matty Behan is taking no chances with coronavirus and has invested in a bra, which he cut in two, fashioning two masks so he can go about his business in the bustling north Wexford town.
Matty, 64, has taken every precaution to protect himself and those around him from spreading the virus, including stocking up on enough medication, food and dog food for five weeks, as well as 45 toilet rolls.
The one thing he couldn’t lay his hands on was a facemask.
While perusing items in his local Dealz he passed a rack of bras and thought Eureka!
The intrepid farmer said: ‘I was walking around and just came upon them and the thought just struck me, “now I have a facemask, two in fact!”. I went to a self-pay counter so there was no lady behind the counter. I held the bra close to my stomach so it was all done quietly. I’ve gotten two masks for the price of one. The bra cost a tenner so I got a mask for a fiver!’
Once home Matty cut off the straps and sewed elastic on both sides of the two bra cups.
When he is finished wearing his mask after a walk around Gorey, he places it in boiling water each evening for use two days later.
Speaking from O’Doherty’s surgery where he was wearing the mask while waiting to be seen, Matty said he always likes to be prepared just in case.
He kept abreast of the emerging health crisis in China and when he read about the Covid-19 outbreak he decided to stock up on essentials.
A bra wasn’t on that list then, but when facemasks sold out he saw his opening and bought one.
‘When I saw the virus coming out of China and when it came to Italy I knew it would spread around. Luckily, I have no underlying health problems. I do have epilepsy but that wouldn’t count as an underlying problem as far as I know. People say the masks are of no use so I didn’t buy one but then I became sorry I hadn’t – so when I saw the bra the idea came to me. If someone who doesn’t have a facemask sneezes it might offer me some protection and I’m sure it will help to reassure people around me and give other people confidence.’
As for the efficacy of the bramask, Matty says there could be an appetite for them if masks remain unavailable in shops.
‘It works perfectly. It’s the first time I’ve had my face in a bra! Someone said it covers my face fairly well. ’
The Ballinastraw native added: ‘It definitely gives me good support. I had to give up farming due to ill health and I’m living in Gorey and it’s grand here.’