Question: Coronavirus & home sewn masks?

I have to say, I've ventured out 4 times now with my masks. It isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I hate anything up around my neck and face unless it's quite loose - polo necks, tightly wrapped scarves, hoods drawn tight etc.

I have a small supply of washable masks and a box of disposable ones. The disposable pleated ones are fine, but I have a small face so I have to fiddle with them.

I find I'm more likely to forget I'm wearing the shaped ones.

Before I get out of the car I out the mask on and get it right and then just keep it on rather than some people who seem to take em off & put em on as they go in and out of places. I know I'd forget.
 
Invisible Woman said:
Before I get out of the car I out the mask on and get it right and then just keep it on rather than some people who seem to take em off & put em on as they go in and out of places. I know I'd forget.
Click to expand...
continually touching them isn't a good idea anyway, they are being unwise when they do that imho - unless your hands are scrupulously clean you could just be putting virus particles off your hands & onto the mask... ready to be inhaled, or just deposited onto your face from the mask, or even from your hands as you reposition it.
Best to do as you do - put it on with clean hands then dont touch it again until you ready to remove it for washing/disposal, & then wash hands after removing
 
JemPD said:
continually touching them isn't a good idea anyway, they are being unwise when they do that imho -
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what I figure. I take every opportunity to use the sanitizer as well, just in case I forget & touch it.

Also, it's hard enough to walk "normally" & in a straight -ish line when I'm paying attention. I've noticed a few people fiddling about with their masks and not looking where they're going.

Sadly, I've also noticed disposable masks and gloves dropped on the ground and just left there.:(
 
JemPD said:
continually touching them isn't a good idea anyway, they are being unwise when they do that imho - unless your hands are scrupulously clean you could just be putting virus particles off your hands & onto the mask... ready to be inhaled, or just deposited onto your face from the mask, or even from your hands as you reposition it.
Best to do as you do - put it on with clean hands then dont touch it again until you ready to remove it for washing/disposal, & then wash hands after removing
Click to expand...

Which is why you're supposed to handle them by the elastics/ties only.

A friend told me this evening that there have been studies done which show that mask-wearing leads to increased (re)inhalation of carbon dioxide and possibly viral particles. Can anyone confirm this - or alternatively deny it?
 
N.Ireland now making masks mandatory. I’ve been sewing masks for the Big Community Sew, and they’ve been handed out to groups in need over the last weeks. I may need to sew some more now.

5EE96767-A205-4CBE-8888-BE66B1E9A684.jpeg
Image from Facebook.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I posted a link to a scientific article/narrative review of filtration properties of cloth and cloth masks in another thread. It has some recommendations regarding different types of fabric:
Abstract said:
Successful masks were muslin at 100 threads per inch (TPI) in 3-4 layers (4-layer muslin or a muslin-flannel-muslin sandwich); tea towels (also known as dish towels), studied as one-layer, and two-layer expected to be better; and good-quality cotton T shirts in 2 layers (with a stitched edge to prevent stretching). In flat-cloth experiments, tea towel, cotton 600 TPI in two layers, and cotton 600 TPI with flannel 90 TPI, performed well, but two-layer cotton 80 TPI did not. Multiple layers should be used, at least two, and preferably three or four; however there is a trade-off in that this increases the resistance to breathing.
Click to expand...
 
Just wondering whether anyone's tried wearing a mask with a nylon/polyester inner layer? Sounds as though it ought to get horribly hot and sweaty.
 
I'm about to try for a second time (last time a few months ago) to make a mask. Sewing machine is out, material cut. I thought I would sacrifice a surgical mask and use the elastic for around the ears and the bendy bit at nose and put into the homemade mask. Wish me luck! I think I have the right pattern this time.
 
Wits_End said:
Where do you get KN95 filters from? I've been using coffee filters :)
Click to expand...
@Wits_End One of my neighbours is a tailor and is making masks. I bought a couple off him. He said I could come to him for the KN95 filters. Now that I am making masks I just go down and buy the filters from him.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom