The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the director general and the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, recommend that all Nigerians wear face coverings when they go out in public. And most states now require residents to use face masks when they visit essential businesses — like the grocery store or the pharmacy — or use public transportation.
In the US, the general public is still advised not to buy or use N95 or surgical masks, as those remain in short supply, and needed for use by health care professionals.
If you haven’t already done so, you can start making your own masks. A note of caution, though: Wearing a mask is a layer of protection, but it is not 100% and homemade masks limit some droplet transmission, but not all. Some information has indicated that they can possibly filter out about 50%, which is better than none.
The health care researchers warn folks making their own masks not to let down their guard when it comes to other covid-19 transmission protections.
“Some people might feel a sense of ‘safety’ while wearing a mask, and therefore relax their behaviours in a detrimental way,” said Anna Torrens Armstrong, assistant professor and public health education concentration lead at the University of South Florida.
“You must still be vigilant about what you touch, how close you get to others, removal of your mask and hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces, and limiting trips out.”
Whether you know how to sew or not, making a protective mask is a project you can undertake with just a few materials you probably already have around the house.
How to make a face mask
First of all: If you don’t sew, don’t worry. You can still make a mask, using some of the following items.
- Bandana, piece of T-shirt or square cotton cloth, about 20 inches by 20 inches
- Paper coffee filter
- Rubber bands or hair ties
- Scissors
Recommended fabrics, Torrens Armstrong says, are “tightly woven cotton. Think sheets, quilting fabrics. T-shirts or bandanas would do if you don’t have any cotton sheets to spare. It needs to be breathable and comfortable against skin — avoid anything scratchy! Material that is not tightly woven would not be very effective.”
First, cut off the bottom third of a conical paper coffee filter. The addition of a coffee filter may help catch and trap additional viral particles, and provide an extra layer of protection.
If you don’t have a pair of sanitized household scissors on hand, these are affordable and (if you’re really desperate) could double for the at-home haircuts you’ll be doing next.
Lay your piece of fabric down flat. Fold it in half lengthwise, creating a rectangle. Place the cut coffee filter in the center of the rectangle, lengthwise. Fold the top third of the fabric down, over the filter, and then the bottom third up, creating a long strip of folded fabric. Then take two household rubber bands or hair ties.
Place them around the ends of the folded fabric, about 6 inches apart. Fold the sides of the fabric in toward the middle. Place the rubber bands or hair ties around your ears, as seen here. Homemade mask, done.
A note: If you’re using a coffee filter, experts say that should be removed and thrown away before you wash your mask, then replaced with a new cut-off filter before each new use.
How to sew your own mask
Now if you do sew, you can make a mask that is entirely machine-washable, and that may feel more secure. Sewn masks aren’t necessarily more protective, Torrens Armstrong says — what matters is that your mask “fits snugly over your nose and mouth.” You’ll need all the same materials from the not-sewn mask list above, plus a needle and thread and/or a sewing machine.
Start with your same large piece of tightly woven fabric. If you want to experiment with cute patterns, there are plenty out there, like these below. Also, if you’re wary about how clean a fabric sent to you may be, you can run it through the wash before building, or use a fabric sanitizer. Same goes for premade masks as well.
Cut your fabric of choice into two equal-sized 10-inch by 6-inch rectangles. Place one piece on top of the other. Fold over ¼ inch of the long sides, and hem both sides. You can use a simple needle and thread.
You can also use a sewing machine. If you don’t own one but think this might suddenly become a great quarantine hobby, here’s an affordable starter that’s super compact for small spaces.
Back to the mask. Fold over the short sides ½ inch, and stitch at the cut edge of the fabric, leaving enough space to thread through your elastic or rubber band that’ll go over your ears.
Thread a 6-inch piece of elastic, rubber or string through the wider hems on each short side of the mask, and tie the loops at the ends — these will serve as your ear loops. Pull loops so knots are tucked inside the hems.
Gather sides of the mask and adjust to your face so that mask fits you. Then stitch the elastic or string in place across the ends of the hem so the elastic can’t move around. Sewn mask, done!
Removing and cleaning your face mask
Before removing your mask, wash your hands with soap and water, or sanitize them. Do not touch the front of your mask, as it may have been contaminated. Remove the mask using the ear loops.
All homemade masks should be washed after every wearing, says Torrens Armstrong — in a washing machine, in hot water, with laundry detergent.
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