COVID-19

Why Everyone Should Wear a Mask!

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COVID-19 Face Mask News

Face Masks in the Pandemic

First-ever smart face mask can detect kidney disease by analyzing your breath

Surgical face masks became a symbol of safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. They helped prevent the spread of viruses, especially through the air. Now, researchers at the University of Rome Tor …
COVID-19: The science behind why masks and how masks work – Palm Beach Post

Aug. 27: Judge overturns Gov. DeSantis' ban on mask mandates in schools; The coronavirus pandemic in Florida is an evolving news story so some information in this article could be out of date.
Why you should wear a face mask even if your state doesn’t require it – CNN

Health experts have long argued that face masks are critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus and ending the pandemic. But some elected officials and their constituents still refuse to …
Face masks are one of the best defenses against coronavirus – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Mask requirements also protect the employees of businesses, some of whom have been asked to work throughout the pandemic. If our country wants to prevent COVID-19 from increasing out of control …
Face Masks With The Best Filters, Features And Technology For Your Pandemic Safety

Face masks, along with hand washing and social distancing, are the best safety protection you have against the coronavirus and risk of contracting COVID-19 in the current pandemic. Wearing a mask …
Masks: We know they help slow the spread of coronavirus, but some readers are unconvinced. Readers sound off

Some mask nay-sayers asked how a piece of fabric can protect against COVID-19. Experts do not say that masks stop the illness, but that wearing them can help slow its spread. Skip to Article …

Making Homemade Masks

Best and Worst Face Masks for Coronavirus Protection: Chart – Business Insider

The ideal face mask for coronavirus protection blocks large droplets along with smaller airborne particles.; In general, masks should have more than one layer and be made of tightly woven fabrics.
Some homemade face masks do not offer enough protection – here's what to be aware of – Shields Gazette

Face coverings in shops and on public transport are now mandatory in England and Scotland, as well as being compulsory on public transport in Northern Ireland and from 27 July in Wales.
Homemade Face Masks Need at Least 2 Layers to Be Effective: Study – Business Insider

Homemade face masks need at least 2 layers to catch and block coronavirus droplets, … For the time being, they suggested people aim to wear three-layer homemade masks for optimal protection.
Fact check: Cloth masks help protect others from contracting COVID-19 – USA TODAY

He noted while it is not clear how much protection homemade masks can offer, any bit of protection would help. More: 55 retailers selling face masks online: Old Navy, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and …
PolitiFact: Face masks, including homemade ones, are effective COVID-19 protection, experts say – Tampa Bay Times

Social media posts claim that certain face masks are ineffective and provide "0% protection." More research needs to be done but we found that medical experts widely refute the claim.
Will homemade face masks keep you from getting sick with coronavirus? What to know – CNET

Face masks that you make at home or buy online are believed to provide a degree of protection against getting sick from the coronavirus, in as much as it can keep larger particles from spraying …

Making Homemade Face Masks using Different Methods

The Hong Kong Mask

This is for social hygiene – its purpose is to protect others from you. No sewing. Everyday components. Very simple. Includes multiple layer mask and a face shield. Dispose of the mask immediately after use and scrub your hands.

The Super Simple Diaper Mask!

This is for social hygiene – its purpose is to protect others from you. It may give you some protection from others. No sewing! Takes one diaper and a pair of scissors. Cut out a square in the center of the diaper, leaving elastic on either side. Use the cutout square to make a double layer in front. You can effectively seal this mask around your nose with a pair of goggles. Includes two non-woven layers of polypropylene and two moisture absorbing tortuous paths. Easy, simple and fast. This very simple mask meets many of the requirements of a good surgical mask – as described in the “What is a Good Quality Surgical Mask?” video at the bottom of this page. Dispose of the mask immediately after use and scrub your hands.

A Doctor Explains How to Make the Safest Face Mask (HEPA Vacuum Bag)

If N95 or better masks are not available, Dr. Southworth recommends this mask as an alternative for healthcare workers. The fit appears to be very good, because he could not smell household fumes, such as bacon cooking while wearing the mask. Given the materials, this mask is potentially reusable. The integrity of this mask should be verified with the standard fit test with each use. UV germicidal light could be used to keep it clean between patients.

Face Mask with a Filter Pocket

This is a sewn version of a simple surgical mask. Hospitals are providing these to patients in the waiting area, and for them to take home for their personal use. The nose wire helps to achieve an improved fit. The replaceable filter layer(s) can be made from unwoven fabrics such as 100% rayon, cellulose, or polypropylene as found in fabric liners and diapers. The cloth portion of the mask is washable, but for safety it should be sterilized immediately after use by soaking in hydrogen peroxide. Remove the mask by only touching the elastic portions and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Nurse Preferred Mask

Which mask should I make for the hospitals? The nurse below talks about the designs for two types of surgical masks. She prefers ties over elastic because of the discomfort of wearing elastic. She prefers at least four layers in the mask. She does not want an insertable filter because when she is working it is beyond what she wants to deal with. Each hospital has different requirements – please check before creating them.

DIY Near N-95 Masks

This mask should not only help protect others from you, but may also help protect you from others. It requires no sewing, and attempts to replicate the layering used in N95 masks by using a MERV13 filter. You should verify its fit and filtering capability with a sniff test for household odors as described by Dr. Southworth in the above vacuum bag mask video. This mask cannot be washed but you can sterilize the surfaces with UV light. Remove the mask by only touching the elastic portions and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

This mask should not only help protect others from you, but may also help protect you from others. This is a simple sewn mask. It includes a wired nose piece. The DIY video explains the use of layering of unwoven fabrics to create a tortuous path which acts as a barrier to viruses and small particles. This mask is washable. Immediately sterilize in hydrogen peroxide or UV light after each use. Remove the mask by only touching the elastic portions and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

The Olson Mask (for Healthcare Workers)

This is the Olson mask that some hospitals are asking people to make in the event that alternatives are needed. Their innovative use of double sided tape got this mask to pass the hospital fit test.

The MERV Filter Mask

This is one the early DIY masks that requires no sewing. It uses a MERV13 air filter material.

The Bra Mask

This is a multilayered mask. It gives you a pre-shaped form and elastic straps using bras that many women will have in their dresser drawer. To the extent is it well sealed on the sides, this mask will help protect others from you and may protect you from others.

The Anti Viral Masks

Antiviral materials are coming. The two stories below refer to research and innovations that will allow any mask, homemade or otherwise, to be made of antiviral materials. Treated fabrics will destroy viruses on contacts.