Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks [Make your own face mask.]

CDC ^ | March 17, 2020 | CDC

[familyop]

Crisis Capacity Strategies...

Implement limited re-use of facemasks...

[familyop: No, just don't.]

HCP use of homemade masks: In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.

[familyop]

The CDC disclaimer:
"Audience: These considerations are intended for use by federal, state, and local public health officials; leaders in occupational health services and infection prevention and control programs; and other leaders in healthcare settings who are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures for preventing pathogen transmission in healthcare settings."

familyop: Can you sew and crochet a "chain?" Do you want to make some facemasks? Here's the information. Watch the video, then find the link to the pattern in the description under the video.

Reusable mask DIY! Free pattern - Interchangeable filter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrSNFC4DLs

When finished with each mask, put it in a bag. Seal the bag. Soak the mask in hot water with laundry soap and a lid on the soaking container. After soaking as long as feasible under a lid, wash and very thoroughly rinse and re-rinse. Hang dry, outdoors if possible, or in a place away from your living area. When dry, put it in a *clean,* unused bag for using again.

My disclaimer (familyop): I have no expertise of any kind in this matter and am not stating or implying that the masks described in any instructions or any masks will protect anyone or be suitable for any use. I will not be held liable for anything. Make a mask and/or wear it at your own risk. You're on your own.

[familyop]

Ping whomever, and thanks!

[familyop]

Ping for scolding, if I deserve it. ;)

[familyop]

Oops. One more thing. The crocheted chains are for the earpieces, for those of you who can do it. No crochet hook needed, because it can be done with fingers.

[familyop]

And pre-wash the material before making the mask! Because it might shrink, not to mention any chemicals that might be in the new material!

[glorgau]

Kind of useless advice now that banks are closing down their lobbies.

[familyop]

Why is that? Have you seen the hordes of people crowding and suffocating each other in some of the big food stores?

[FamiliarFace]

The thing about bandanas is how useful they can be in a number of scenarios. If you use one to cover your face including your chin, you will help yourself have a small protection from germs that would normally go near your nose and mouth. Instead of touching your face, you will touch your bandana. Throw your bandana in the wash at the end of the day. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Then next time you can use your bandana for a myriad of other very useful purposes. Here’s a few.
https://monsterrangers.com/101-uses-for-a-bandana/

[ConservativeInPA]

For what it worth ... I am a dialysis patient and as such I need to wear a face mask when I get connected/unconnected from a dialysis machine. It's an over the ear face mask. It protects me from breathing onto an open catheter which terminates in the right atrium of my heart. The dialysis tech wears the same. Infections are a great concern since it spells quick death in a lot cases. But, this style of face mask does not stop breathing in anything. Think of it as protecting others, but not yourself ... most people don't have to worry about breathing on an open cath.

So think about your prep and it's effectiveness. You need a serious filter and a tight fitting mask to stop breathing bad bugs. Of course, there's nothing wrong with protecting others.

An aside: I saw a woman on my last trip to the grocery store wearing an over the ear mask and disposable Nitrile gloves. She was frantic, seriously worried about getting the ChiCom flu as she picked up TP. (no joking - there was TP in the store last weekend.) I didn't have the heart to tell her that the mask and gloves do very little to protect her. The gloves are disposable because they are only used temporarily, very temporary. Back to dialysis protocol, a tech goes through three sets of gloves in five minutes when connecting a patient to a dialysis machine. Once you touch a surface with the glove, it's infected. It's not effective going to the grocery store, people are touching stuff all over the place and it is almost guaranteed that they would touch their face, eyes, ears or something that a bug will catch a hold of. Think of full bunny suit and then you are protected.

[familyop]

Thanks! One really should not touch the bandanna on the face, either, because the bandanna acts much like a vacuum cleaner filter for germs. Then huge loads of virus can be on fingers that touch the mask!

It’s best to practice self-discipline against touching the face, head, neck or mask. I avoided touching the face for 13 weeks in Army initial training except for showering and shaving, and anyone with enough discipline can teach themselves to do so. How strong are you (all)? Practice avoiding touching the face...or the super germ-y virus collector: the mask!

[DannyTN]

Pandemics are useless without pictures.

[windsorknot]

Can I make a mask using toilet paper?

[glorgau]

> Why is that?

Bank lobbies used to be the only places where one would wear a face mask ;-)

[DannyTN]

Built in bandana. Just saying.

[BunnySlippers]

Bookmark

[familyop]

"But, this style of face mask does not stop breathing in anything."

No mask will keep all of the units of a virus out, or even all of the micro-droplets of moisture from someone else's breath. Did you know that?

It's a matter of stopping some of the tiny vapor droplets from someone else's breath from being ingested by you. Decrease the viral loads being ingested from other people.

But yes, a mask, if properly used, will keep the same virus-filled moisture from getting on other people nearly as much. Don't think absolute filter. There's no such thing in paper mask filters. Think baffles. They slow the mist down, so that it will fall downward more.

And yes, gloves can help if used correctly. I don't have time to go into that for now. At least half of the people out there should be able to figure it out with some forethought and practice.

This is really best done between two people as a team, but...

After using gloves, use the first glove to pull on the cuff of the other glove, pulling it inside-out off of the hand. Use the outside of the inside-out glove to pull the other glove inside-out, until it's off the hand. The pair of gloves should fall into the trash receptacle, which should then be sealed as well as feasible and carefully dumped outside in another trash receptacle. Then wash hands and sanitize doorknobs again before touching anything else. There's more but not time right now.
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert in anything and am only babbling. Do anything that I wrote about at your own risk.

[Ben Hecks]

You could use 4ea 10x10 furnace filters duct taped to form a cube with an opening for the neck and leave the front open to cover with Saran wrap. Fit over head and use duct tape to seal off the bottom of the device.

[familyop]

"Bank lobbies used to be the only places where one would wear a face mask ;-)"

Oh, you got me! I'm so embarrassed for falling for that! ;D

[FamiliarFace]

While it may be full of germs, I would rather have a bandana as a small protection, and then toss it in the wash like it was a handkerchief.

This is for those, like children, who have a hard time with self-discipline. It’s not for everyone.

[windsorknot]

Lol! You need to patent that!