Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals and are not giving medical advice.
Based on our research and advice and recommendations received, we encourage you to make face masks for yourself, your family, and any places in your community that are in need. Watch this video for an easy-to-follow demo and we have a free pattern and instruction guide added at the end of this blog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtIyGsjLryI&list=PLWL4iBFaBnxHG60IX6QGSLaR1rIFmSA02&index=19&t=2s
We are also urging people to take a moment to consider the points raised below!
There is a lot of information out there about face masks. Home sewists around the globe are making their own to donate to their community care workers. Currently, the WHO (World Health Organization) recommends that those who are sick or show symptoms of coronavirus wear masks to ensure medical professionals have access to N95 and surgical masks, but they are considering changing their advice. The Center for Disease Control is now recommending that “everyone wear non-medical face coverings in public (New York Times).”
It’s important to realize that a homemade face mask does not make you invincible. There are several points to consider relating to the use of handmade face masks:
- a ‘false sense of security’ created by wearing a DIY mask could have detrimental effects.
- The type of materials used as well fit and construction can result in different efficiency levels
- The vital importance of daily routines of use and disinfecting masks
Only by considering different ways of making, wearing and cleaning masks can they minimise the risk of infection to yourself and others. You should still be staying at home unless it is necessary for you to leave (shopping for groceries, medical emergency). Saskia Popescu cites many other factors that can spread the virus even when wearing a mask, including touching your face, not washing your hands and touching surfaces (The Guardian).
The main argument for the general public wearing face masks is that many people can be asymptomatic to the virus. If we don’t know who has it, then everyone is treated as a potential carrier, and everyone should be wearing a face mask (#Masks4All).
Research scientist and founder of #Masks4All, Jeremy Howard, says that it is not necessary to form a seal on your homemade mask because you won’t be performing aerosol-generating procedures (e.g. intubating a patient) (The Guardian). However, it is clear that the better a mask fits, the more efficient it will be in reducing risk. Using a double-sided adhesive tape around the nose and mouth area as well as a wire to shape around the nose bridge can improve that efficiency.
When wearing a mask, be sure not to touch your face to adjust it as it can contaminate the mask (New York Times). Follow the steps in the image from #Masks4All to properly use, remove, and clean your homemade mask.
When considering the materials to use the mask it is worth noting the difference between ‘absorption’, ‘filtration’ and ‘breathability’. You need to be able to breathe normally when wearing a mask, beyond that the most important factor is whether the material lets the bacteria/virus through ie. the filtration efficiency. See below tests undertaken on different materials. The below suggest that the combination of using tightly woven materials e.g. tea towels with a non-woven disposable filter e.g. from a vacuum cleaner bag creating an efficiency exceeding that of other textiles.
*Research Gate publication 258525804
You can do a really easy test at home if your are not sure which the materials you have is the best one: Place small pieces of your materials over a glass, sprinkle some spice powder on it and then carefully pour some water on it to let in run through. Compare with a glass of clear tap water – the more discoloured the water the less effective the material!
Please donate professional masks (N95 and surgical) to hospitals.
Homemade masks do not replace medical masks!
Useful Links:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.flattenthecurve.com
Face masks: can they slow coronavirus spread – and should we be wearing them? The Guardian
WHO Considers Changing Guidance on Wearing Face Masks, The Guardian
How to Help Donations Charities, New York Times
Should I Start Wearing a Mask? New York Times
https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/apr/01/are-homemade-face-masks-effective-against-covid-19/
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0002618
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLrm0pqBN_5bdyysOeoOBX4pt4oFDBhsC_jpblXpNtQ/mobilebasic
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258525804_Testing_the_Efficacy_of_Homemade_Masks_Would_They_Protect_in_an_Influenza_Pandemic
https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus
https://www.arkbh.com/covid-19-resources/
Short side 7.5cm (pls check for printing inaccuracies)
***PLEASE NOTE THAT HANDMADE MASKS DO NOT REPLACE MEDICAL MASKS! MASKS DO NOT PROTECT FULLY AGAINST INFECTION BUT WHEN USED WITH RIGHT METHODS OF USING, CLEANING AND HYGIENE, CAN MINIMISE RISKS TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS! ***