National guidance now is to wear a face covering of some sort while out and about to help slow down the transmission of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19.
While N95 and other medical masks should be reserved for healthcare workers on the front lines, there are ways to make a mask that can help prevent you from infecting others.
The CDC has confirmed that it is possible to have coronavirus and transmit it to others despite having absolutely no symptoms of the illness.
How to Wear and Use a Face Mask
When wearing a mask, it's important that you wash your hands prior to making the mask and prior to putting it on yourself. Once it is on, you should NOT touch the front of the mask — take it on and off by the earloops only and wash your hands immediately after removing the mask.
If you touch the front of the mask to move it down off your nose and mouth, such as while driving (we've seen this a lot), you are at risk of having contaminated your hands and/or the mask itself.
What Material to Use for a Face Mask
According to a study on the best materials for face masks, here are the best materials to use, in order:
- vacuum cleaner bags
- tea towels
- cotton mixes
- antimicrobial pillowcases
Not recommended for use: silk and scarves.
How to Make a Face Mask without Sewing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted this YouTube video on how to quickly and easily make a cloth face mask out of an old shirt and a few rubber bands. See the video here.
What's the best material to use? The material should be dense but breathable and a material that doesn't hold a lot of moisture.
If you have access to shop towels (those blue, dense paper towels often used in garages), you can make a mask out of those with a stapler and rubber bands.
In addition, local residents are using Nextdoor and other online forums to collaborate on making masks, and people who have access to sewing machines are selling masks to neighbors. Some dry cleaners are also giving away a face mask when you pay for services.
Stay safe!
