Face mask tutorial

[firecat]

I have no idea whether face masks help prevent COVID-19 transmission, or which kinds (other than N95s, which should be reserved for health care workers) work best, but I've seen some talk that face masks might become required for people venturing out. I happen to have a lot of shop towels so I'm putting this here so I can access it later.

Easy No-Sew Shop Towel Mask
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mai-UqdNRi8

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/masks-diy-coronavirus/2020/04/01/20830f5e-7420-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html : "Which DIY mask pattern should you use? Even experts can’t pick one to recommend" by Sindya Bhanoo

Peter Tsai, the materials scientist who invented the electrostatic charging technology that N95 masks — the highest-quality medical masks on the market — rely on, also believes that homemade masks are an important part of the United States’ battle against the coronavirus. He offered another material for DIY mask makers to consider: nonwoven fabrics.
...
Tsai recommended using car shop towels as mask material. The towels, available in rolls and often blue in color, would do a better job of filtering droplets than cloth, he said. The material is “very strong,” he said. “And it can be washed with soap and water and reused.” There are YouTube videos that offer tutorials on using this material....The towels, he said, could also be used in conjunction with cloth masks, serving as an additional filtering layer.

Comments

[noelfigart]

I made a few for my household's personal use according to the guidelines that the local hospital is accepting for the use of people coming in for treatment. (The pleated rectangle with the elastic ear loops).

We're using them when we go for walks outside or Peter has to go to run an errand for work. (He works for the IT training team for a local hospital and there have been a couple of times when physical presence was required. Makes me itch, but I couldn't argue with the necessity and they did their best to minimize contact)

I know some of the issues with masks, especially reusable ones, have been revolving around misunderstanding risk reduction (Those masks need to be in CONJUNCTION with handwashing and physical distancing) and sanitizing practices (You have to clean the mask properly after each use if you're going to reuse it).

We've decided in conjunction with other measures, it probably can't hurt, so we wear them outside.