Face masks DIY has become a top stay-home activity during this pandemic coronavirus outbreak, be it donating to healthcare facilities or using it yourself. The CDC now suggests covering the face whenever you go out and about (especially in crowded areas). They are making it obligatory to cover up, enforceable in few places by a fine or arrest if you are not taking the precautions where you should be. The coronavirus outbreak around the world has led to a scarcity of protective face masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says healthcare workers should make and use such homemade face mask as a last expedient when no face masks equipment is available.
With over 775,000 confirmed cases in the US and over 2.4 million worldwide, the earnestness of the coronavirus outbreak is prompting some local governments to make wearing masks mandatory. The logic behind it is, if everyone wears a mask, every asymptomatic carrier can help stop transferring the virus, which has caused 167,000 deaths globally as of now. The situation is dreadful to say the least and as of now, we don’t see the end of it anytime soon.
Earlier this month, CDC changed its guidelines on nonmedical masks, encouraging people to wear them as “voluntary health measure”. Homemade masks are not 100% authentic to provide you with the same protection as medical masks and may not be able to prevent you from getting coronavirus, a respiratory pathogen. However, they are likely to block larger particles from coughs, sneezes, or the saliva of asymptomatic people. In other quarters, wearing a nonmedical mask is to fortify others from you, and not the other way around.
Where do you have to wear a mask?
All of the mandates are requiring people to wear a mask when going out in public i.e. hospitals, essential businesses or using public transportation. Such are the places where there are hundreds of people and social distancing is nearly impossible.
How do you make a face mask yourself? (Face Masks DIY)
If you are looking for a quick and easy no-sew version to wear yourself then follow the down instructions below to make an easy and quick no-sew face mask. (How-to images courtesy of the CDC)
Cotton T-Shirt Face Mask
To make this face mask, you will be needing a 100% cotton t shirt. However, if you cannot find one, you can use other fabrics that are easy to find. If you do not have the right supplies to make these masks, you can get it from Lazada at an affordable price very conveniently.
Here’s what you will need:
- Cotton T-Shirt
- Scissors
- Cut 18 to 20 cm from the bottom of the t-shirt. You will have a double-layered rectangle fabric at the end.
- Keep the fabric doubled. From only one edge of the fabric cut out an inner rectangle about 16 to 17 cm wide. You will have the outer edges on the top and bottom as tie strings.
- Place the mask securely over your nose and mouth. Tie the fabric “strings” around your neck and on top of your head.
Last Resort Only: Bandana & Coffee Filter Face Mask
Both the bandana and coffee filter ere common products that you can easily find in your household.
To make this mask you’ll need:
- A bandana (preferably square cotton cloth about 50×50 cm)
- A coffee filter
- Rubber bands or hair ties
- Scissors
- Cut the top off from the coffee filter. You can use other shapes if you are unable to find a cone-shaped filter.
- Spread your bandana or scarf and find the center
- Place the cut piece of coffee filter in the center of the folded scarf. Fold the top down and fold the bottom up, as seen below.
- Place the hair ties or rubber bands around the scarf rectangle. Put them a little more than a 15 cm apart.
- Fold the sides into the middle and secure them so they stay in place. You’ll end up with a narrow rectangle with ear loops on each side
- Fit then mask over your nose and mouth. Slip the ties over your ears.
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