Hello from the Heartland. My name is Jenna and this is Smarter News, news when it matters

and why it matters. Our Smarter series features unique people who help us think and live smarter.

So let me just set the stage for where we are in the COVID-19 pandemic. A few weeks ago, we were all

told that wearing a mask would not be helpful to keep us safe during this outbreak. In fact,

it might help us infect ourselves because we would be touching our face, which is exactly what

officials told us not to do. And now we're all

being told that we should wear a mask anywhere we go outside our home. And if you can't wear a mask,

grab a scarf or a bandana. And that's a remarkable turnaround. We're still learning so much about

how the new coronavirus behaves. And now we're continuing to hear from officials is three times

as contagious as the flu.

So this has certainly led many, like myself, to try to find a mask. And you can't easily find a

mask right now. It's very difficult. Plus, I've never ever shopped for a mask before. And the entire

pandemic has caused me to really think more deeply about who I'm buying from,

where it's coming from, what I'm bringing in my house.

And so we have an interesting solution to all of this today.

Pete Roberts is joining us.

He is the founder of Origin, a company in Maine, which we'll explain in just a moment.

But Pete, what has this been like for you and your

family, not just your business, but just overall this crazy few months that we've all experienced

together? Well, it has been a little bit wild. You know, Maine is the last to get anything. Trends, right?

They usually flow through, you know, New England, New York

City, and then up to Maine. So we get everything last, including the coronavirus. With that said,

...