Recently, the recommendation came down from the CDC for everyone to wear cloth masks when going out in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are currently hard to come by in stores, which, incidentally, you should stay out of if you can. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to make one.
Making Your Mask
CNN recently published detailed instructions on making masks. This includes a pattern to sew, and a no sew option. The Washington Post added to the discussion with information about what kind of materials to use and why.
Making Masks for Healthcare Professionals
Many hospitals are now accepting donations of homemade masks. If you have materials to make more masks than you need in your household, you might consider making and donating them.
Ear Savers
I’ve been talking with a local medical professional who is asking for people to provide ear savers, too. Ear savers can be made from different materials. The goal is to keep ears from getting irritated when wearing a mask all day. There are two main types: sewn and 3D printed. The doctor I spoke to requested the sewn, headband style. You can watch a tutorial on how to make it from scratch here. However, if you have cloth headbands that you’d like to donate, you can wash them, then skip to the last step of simply adding buttons. The 3D printed surgical mask strap style can be found as a downloadable pattern on Thingaverse.
Using Masks Properly
When you are wearing your mask out in the world, you need to know that you are doing it correctly. You should make certain that your mask covers both your mouth and your nose. Just like you aren’t supposed to touch your face, you should avoid touching your mask. This CNBC article provides more details about what you should, and shouldn’t do, and includes information about how to properly clean your mask.
That’s it for now. Stay safe out there! If you have any suggestions about masks, ear savers or anything else, I welcome your input in the comments below.
