When the coronavirus pandemic took hold, Melanzana—the beloved Leadville outfitter known for its microfiber hoodies—pivoted its sewing operations to produce life-saving fabric masks for frontline personnel. Owner Fritz Howard announced on March 27, 2020, that the local workshop would temporarily convert from apparel to personal protective equipment, turning out “Melly Masks” for healthcare workers, first responders, firefighters, and law enforcement across Lake County.
Unlike N95 respirators, which use specialized, tightly woven fibers to block at least 95% of airborne particles and fit snugly around the face, Melly Masks are crafted from the same blue wrap material used to sterilize surgical instruments. Although designed for a looser fit, they still serve as an effective barrier against many contaminants—and best of all, they can be sterilized and reused. Dr. Lisa Zwerdlinger, Lake County’s Chief Medical Officer, praised the prototypes as “probably the best-made mask I’ve ever seen,” noting their potential to extend precious supplies of N95s.
Production began after Vail Health and the Leadville Hospital reached out for help. St. Vincent Hospital supplied the surgical wrap, a material now in dangerously short supply nationwide. Howard’s team shut down their retail shop temporarily—first to protect staff health, then in compliance with Colorado’s statewide shutdown on March 25—and reconfigured the sewing floor to meet CDC guidelines for social distancing and sanitation.
The Leadville Hospital has already ordered around 2,000 Melly Masks, earmarked exclusively for Lake County emergency and medical personnel. “These masks won’t be sold to the public,” Howard emphasized. “They exist purely to protect those risking their lives every day.”
This isn’t Melanzana’s first act of community service. Over the years the company has donated cycling jackets to local student-athletes, contributed auction items to charity events, and after Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake, sent hats and hoodies to survivors in Ghormu village.
Local COVID-19 Testing Update
As of March 27, Dr. Zwerdlinger reported that Lake County has administered seven COVID-19 tests, with three negative results returned and four still pending. Although officially free of confirmed cases, medical staff are treating every interaction as potentially positive—prioritizing protective gear and compassionate care.
Guidance for Residents
Residents experiencing mild cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sore throat) are advised to self-isolate at home and use over-the-counter remedies. Those whose conditions worsen should promptly contact their primary care provider. “We worry that a first positive diagnosis might both spur caution and spark panic,” Dr. Zwerdlinger admitted.
In the meantime, Leadville Today encourages the community to support independent local journalism—and each other—by staying informed, staying safe, and staying connected (from at least six feet away).
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