YOUR GUIDE
TO FACE MASKS AND
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN
SCROLL
DOWN
Recent studies of COVID-19 show that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. While maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
How to wear a cloth face covering
Homemade
cloth mask
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases; Newsy; Wisconsin State Journal; smartairfilter.com; Cambridge University
CORONAVIRUS SARS-COV-2
Cloth face coverings should:
Surgical
mask
N95
respirator
Ventilator
NOTE: Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Wisconsin State Journal
Video: How effective is a mask
at stopping the spread of a virus?
Stiffer, tight-fitting device that seals mouth and nose, blocking fluid droplets and 95% of small airborne particles. For health care workers in close contact with ill patients.
May help protect well people and prevent those who feel well but are infected from spreading virus, but effectiveness is unknown.
Disposable, flexible device that protects against large droplets, splashes and sprays. Can protect others from wearer’s respiratory emissions.
Machine that pushes air into airway and lungs to help person breathe.
The cloth face coverings recommended for home use by CDC are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used.
Masks, respirators and ventilators
Be secured with ties or ear loops
Include multiple layers of fabric
Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
Allow for breathing without restriction
Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
How does
one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering?
How does
one safely remove a used cloth face covering?
Should
cloth face coverings be washed regularly?
Yes.
They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
A washing
machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.
Be careful not
to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing face coverings and wash hands immediately after removing.
- Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
- Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
Sewing machine design
CDC: Make your own face covering
Materials
- Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Cut fabric
Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the cloth face covering as if it was a single piece of fabric.
1
Fold and stitch
2
Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.
Run elastic through folds
Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight.
Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head.
3
Position knots, gather sides
Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.
4
- T-shirt
Quick cut t-shirt (no sewing)
Materials
- Scissors
Cut off 7 to 8 inches of the bottom of a t-shirt.
Cut bottom
1
Cut out a rectange 6 to 7 inches long. Cut middle of fabric to make straps.
Cut middle
2
Tie straps around neck, then over top of head.
Tie strings
3
- Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”)
- Coffee filter
- Rubber bands (or hair ties)
- Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)
Bandana face covering
(no sewing)
Materials
Cut coffee filter
1
Fold in half
2
Fold in thirds
3
Place filter in center of folded bandana. Fold top down. Fold bottom up.
Rubber bands
4
Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.
Fold and tuck
5
Fold side to middle and tuck.
Fit over ears
6
Elastic fits around ears to hold bandana in place.
Place filter in center of folded bandana. Fold top down. Fold bottom up.
Sources: smartairfilters.com; Cambridge University
What is the best material to use?
Researchers at Cambridge University tested a wide range of household materials for effectiveness at filtering virus-sized particles and ease of breathability.
Click to compare
BREATHABILITY
FILTERING
BREATHABILITY
FILTERING
Percentage of virus-sized particles captured
89%
86%
73%
70%
68%
57%
51%
49%
Surgical mask
Tea towel
Vacuum cleaner bag
100% cotton
t-shirt
Cotton blend
t-shirt
Anti-
microbial pillowcase
Pillow-
case
Scarf
Researchers at Cambridge University tested a wide range of household materials for effectiveness at filtering virus-sized particles and ease of breathability.
Breathability compared to surgical mask: Change in pressure
-95%
-38%
-18%
-17%
0%
17%
18%
26%
Surgical mask
Tea towel
Vacuum cleaner bag
100% cotton
t-shirt
Cotton blend
t-shirt
Anti-
microbial pillowcase
Pillow-
case
Scarf
EASIER to breath
than surgical mask
HARDER to breath
than surgical mask
10 inches
6 inches
Fold
Fold
Stitch
Stitch
1/4 inch
1/4 inch
1/2 inch
1/2 inch
Fold
Fold
Stitch
Stitch
Thread through
Knot
Stitch
Stitch
Tuck in knot
7-8 inches
6-7 inches
Cut tie strings
Cut out