COVID-19

Why Everyone Should Wear a Mask!

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Saving Your Health,
One Mask at a Time

COVID-19 Face Mask News

Face Masks in the Pandemic

10 Best Face Masks for COVID-19

Wearing a face mask is a vital measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 … P100 masks are the only types that have National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approval.
Why you should wear a face mask even if your state doesn’t require it

Health experts have long argued that face masks are critical to slowing the spread of the coronavirus and ending the pandemic … require masks, Covid-19 case and death rates slow down, according …
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 …
Fact check: Cloth masks ineffective against wildfire smoke, still slow spread of COVID-19

“Cloth masks that are used to slow the spread of COVID … coronavirus; they're just uncertain how much. Face masks have been the subject of confusion and scrutiny during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bill Nye Shows How Face Masks Slow the Spread of Coronavirus: It's 'a Matter of Life or Death'

Scientific research has proven that masks are … the spread of COVID-19 Bill Nye is breaking down why it’s so important to wear face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. In a fun TikTok video …
Researchers urge 'widespread' wearing of face masks to slow coronavirus pandemic

As concerns about an expansion of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic … the spread of COVID-19, are not enough to slow the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2. Wearing face masks, even …

Making Homemade Masks

One chart shows the best and worst face masks for coronavirus protection — and which situations they're suited for

A simple trick can reveal whether your face mask offers sufficient protection … to the CDC's recent guidelines. 'Hybrid' masks are among the safest homemade options As a general rule, mask …
Homemade face masks need at least 2 layers to catch and block coronavirus droplets, study finds

A face-mask experiment from researchers … For the time being, they suggested people aim to wear three-layer homemade masks for optimal protection. Read more: People with narcissistic traits …
Fact check: Ear loop masks — even homemade cloth masks — offer protection against COVID-19

but it would be better than no protection,” the study reads. The CDC has also released instructions on creating homemade masks. “Simple cloth face coverings can be made at home and may help …
PolitiFact: Face masks, including homemade ones, are effective COVID-19 protection, experts say

Face masks have become a controversial symbol … Higher medical-grade masks offer the most protection, but homemade masks are also effective, particularly when they fit snuggly and are made …
Will homemade face masks keep you from getting sick with coronavirus? What to know

Homemade face masks can be fast and efficient to make … care for wearing N95 respirators and equivalent or higher level of protection respirators are no longer possible, and surgical masks …
Homemade mask sellers get creative as the CDC sets new guidelines to stop spread of coronavirus

Even before the Trump administration said people could start wearing face masks … CDC recommends that homemade masks be used as a last resort, since their capability of protection is unknown.

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.