In the face of COVID-19: Why wearing a mask protects others, how to make them yourselves
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 12:36pm
In a perfect world, you would be able to run down to your local store and pick up a mask. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world, and there is a significant lack of masks not only for the public at large, but for health care worker as well.
That's why many have chosen to make their own masks, or purchase them from someone nearby with a sewing machine and some extra fabric.
Wearing a mask is not likely to keep you from getting sick. But the reason people are opting to wear masks isn't to prevent themselves from becoming ill, it's to prevent themselves from getting others sick.
Studies show that a large majority of COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic carriers. What that means is, they have the virus and are contagious but are showing no signs of it. So the advice of "If you're sick, stay home," does not apply to those people (though everyone non-essential should be staying home right now, per the governor's mandate).
Wearing a mask will help stop the spread of your own germs from infecting others, thereby protecting the community as a whole.
The CDC recommends every person to wear face masks while out in public, especially at high trafficked areas like grocery stores and pharmacies.
"It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus," said the CDC in a statement regarding masks. "CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure."
These masks are not surgical or N95 respirators, those need to be reserved for front line health care workers who are dealing with COVID-19 patients on a daily basis.
The CDC released this video (which will also be at the bottom of this story) detailing some ways you can make face coverings from household items such as scarves, towels, or more.
What is important to note is, in order to properly protect people against the spread, your fabric used needs to be thick enough that moisture and airflow from your nose and mouth don't easily penetrate the fabric. To test this, you can hold your hand in front of your face with your mask on and blow. If you can easily feel your breath, you need to add additional layers to keep others safe. Avoid thin, knitted fabrics unless they are folded over themselves several times to create a proper barrier.
Masks are never, ever recommended for infants and toddlers. Their lungs and airways are not strong enough to handle a facial covering. Please do not put facial coverings on your infants or toddlers.
For Frequently Asked Questions regarding COVID-19 masks, the CDC has provided an information page here.
