I am not a DIY person and this is not a DIY blog, but in times of true need when DIY is the only way, the do-it-yourself culture becomes less about finding entertainment in your spare time and more about survival skills. I do not have a sewing machine or great hand-sewing skills, but when I started looking to buy face masks a few weeks ago and found none on Amazon, I wished I was more crafty and could make them at home.
The controversy around wearing face masks to protect yourself and others from getting the novel coronavirus and conflicting expert recommendations dissuaded me from pursuing this further but right now I’m feeling like knowing how to make a face mask is not a bad idea after all. I found a pack of 10 disposable face masks I bought at the dollar store a few months ago when I was pregnant and had a cough. I also ordered both cloth masks and disposable surgical face masks on Amazon but they won’t get here for another month, so the time is now to scratch my DIY itch.
In terms of believing the CDC guidance of “only wearing a face mask if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick”, that would make a lot of sense, if testing was widely available and we could all know who is or isn’t sick., but that is not the case. Being tested for coronavirus is only available for people with symptoms, and we know you can carry the virus for days before showing symptoms, so this guidance seems weird to me and my inner conspiratorial self believes they are simply afraid about the face mask shortage getting worse and that is why they haven’t recommended that the general public wears face masks.
My suspicion is that soon they will have to revisit the mask guidance so we all wear them, in addition to extreme social distancing.
Here is the latest guidance on wearing cloth face coverings from the CDC.
Face masks are NOT a substitute for social distancing or “real” N95 face masks.
Update (April 4th, 2020): these is the official guidance from the CDC on face coverings.
Here are the best tutorials I’ve found on how to make your own face masks:
How to make your own face covering, easiest tutorial yet
DIY face mask, no sewing needed
This mask is made with cotton bed sheets and it does not require any sewing. The instructions claim it only takes 10 minutes to make one.
Source: maskbuilders.com
DIY cotton face mask, sewing needed
These are very detailed instructions and printable patterns for 2 DIY face masks. You do need sewing skills and, ideally, a sewing machine. The masks are multi-layer and you can see the final results from multiple users who made their own face masks using these instructions.
Source: instructables.com
DIY face mask with elastic or fabric ear loops
You can make these surgical face masks with old cotton fabric from bed sheets or t-shirts. Sizes are provided for adults and children. You do need to sew but instructions say you can make them in as little as 5 minutes. Two different video tutorials explain how to make the version with elastic loops and fabric loops.
DIY face mask, no sewing machine required
This surgical mask is made with reusable grocery bags (made of NWPP, like this one), it takes 90 minutes to make if sewn by hand and it costs approximately $5.
Source: popsci.com
Where can you still buy a surgical face mask?
If you simply can’t be bothered with DIY anything. GQ made a list of alternatives to buy a face mask from non-Amazon sources. My favorite from their list is this black face mask from Buck Mason. You can either buy them to donate them to someone in need or a hospital or just buy it for your own family.
Source: buckmason.com