Since, like the rest of the world, I have been in lock down I have had some time to do research into face mask making, to protect from Covid 19. I was going to create my own pattern but as there are so many mask patterns and videos on line, I decided not to reinvent the wheel. So I used Amanda Perna‘s pattern and gave it my original twist. These masks are reversible.
The best pattern I have come across is by Amanda Perna who has a video, a pattern and instructions on the Good Housekeeping web site. She is clear and engaging in her delivery . She has made her masks with bias binding ties, but you could use elastic loops if you prefer.
Amanda perna.com ‘We designed these masks under the guidance of multiple medical professionals based on an existing pattern. Masks are cotton fabric and lined with non-woven filter to help filter contaminants. All masks use ties to allow them to securely fit as many people as possible, helping protect those on the front lines.’
This quote is from Voxhttps://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/4/1/21203241/coronavirus-diy-face-mask-homemade-tutorials
“Above all, it’s of utmost importance that medical personnel, vulnerable populations, and people who actually have the virus are first in line when it comes to medical-grade personal protective equipment, or PPE. That’s why making your own — while it won’t come with nearly the same level of protection — could be an alternative and possibly reduce considerable strain on an already overburdened supply chain.
The CDC , Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, in the USA suggests that all cloth masks should “be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape” and that they “should be routinely washed depending on frequency of use.” It also notes that people should take care not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth while removing and affixing a mask, and that hands should be washed immediately after.
The guidelines from the CDC on what qualities homemade masks should have, such as including multiple layers of snug-fitting fabric and holding up to machine washing. It also suggests what types of fabric to seek out: “tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets.”
This comment is from Anita Baklund Doctor M.D. Scandinavia
‘People seem to not understand the purpose of surgical masks.
Surgical masks are NOT meant to protect the person wearing the mask. The surgical masks are meant to protect the patient and the whole operation theatre from any contamination from the mouth or nose of the person wearing the mask.
Being a surgeon or a surgical nurse, you may have to work for hours during a more complicated surgery. By wearing a surgical mask, you have not to worry if you have to couch or sneeze, or simply being unlucky enough to drool. Saliva has lots of germs in them also in a healthy person. These germs are usually not giving rise to any infections, but they should not in any way reach an open operation wound.
The folds in a surgical mask are meant for it to be “one size” – all masks can be stretched to fit any persons face – the person being large or small.
The surgical masks also have a small, flat metal piece on the top. This also is meant to fit everybody, by bending and folding that metal piece to make the mask fitting completely over the nose ridge of the person wearing the mask. There should be no open spaces around the mask for the air to pass, making all the air to be filtered through the mask.
creativecolour.org 