Question: Coronavirus & home sewn masks?

These aren't home sewn masks, but if you just need some sort of face covering these might be interesting...

From SeaSalt. Especially since you can use them as neck warmers, Alice bands, or head coverings as well - the patterns are nice too. I've bought some of these, the patterns are nice. I've been wearing one today around my neck as it's turned rather chilly here!
https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/accessories/handyband-headbands

Or if you want pre-sewn more anti bacterial (anti bacterial stuff guaranteed for 30 washes), you can try Celtic & Co. I've got these on order, I think they'll arrive in the next day or so. OH is having a couple as he may be glad of them if he goes into shops.
https://www.celticandco.com/womens/womens-accessories/shop-all/knitted-face-mask

Big Bloomers also do face masks. They do bigger sizes too, which may be better for men? I haven't ordered from them so can't really comment. Plus they do kid size ones.
https://www.thebigbloomerscompany.co.uk/collections/face-masks

These are just places I've bought from in the past - no idea how well any of these masks function. They are all washable and re-usable.

I just don't have the energy to sew stuff myself. :oops:
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloth_face_mask

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_masks_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic

https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/other/how-surgical-masks-are-made/

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/best-materials-for-covid19-face-masks

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Visualizing the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing respiratory jets (recent peer-review study)

Abstract
The use of face masks in public settings has been widely recommended by public health officials during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The masks help mitigate the risk of cross-infection via respiratory droplets; however, there are no specific guidelines on mask materials and designs that are most effective in minimizing droplet dispersal.

While there have been prior studies on the performance of medical-grade masks, there are insufficient data on cloth-based coverings, which are being used by a vast majority of the general public.

We use qualitative visualizations of emulated coughs and sneezes to examine how material- and design-choices impact the extent to which droplet-laden respiratory jets are blocked.

Loosely folded face masks and bandana-style coverings provide minimal stopping-capability for the smallest aerosolized respiratory droplets.

Well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal.
 
The headline suggests mask wearing protects the wearer, but the article seemed less clear. Population data wouldn’t give detail on individual protection, if most people wore masks.
 
Sasha said:
I haven't been going anywhere where people are, but in case I every do, I've just ordered a cotton mask online to try, and I'll order more if I like it. I'm not planning on washing any of them, though - just leaving them for several days to self-sanitise.

I'm assuming that's OK?
Click to expand...
I have a few homemade masks and some disposable Chinese medical ones. I quarantine the home made ones for a few days after using them and wash them when necessary.

I use the disposable ones for an hour at the most so I leave them in quarantine and reuse them until they've had quite a few hours of use. I've yet to read why this would be a bad idea and I've looked a lot.

Re Chinese made surgical masks - it's hard to tell if you're getting a proper mask or something completely useless. As a starting point here are some tests you can do to indicate they might be alright.
First make sure there are three layers.
Secondly, pour some water into the mask and if it doesn't run through the outer layer it is waterproof.
Thirdly, try to set fire to the inner filter layer. If it burns like a tissue it's no good. The real thing can't be burned with a flame; it just shrivels away.
 
oldtimer said:
Re Chinese made surgical masks - it's hard to tell if you're getting a proper mask or something completely useless. As a starting point here are some tests you can do to indicate they might be alright.
First make sure there are three layers.
Secondly, pour some water into the mask and if it doesn't run through the outer layer it is waterproof.
Thirdly, try to set fire to the inner filter layer. If it burns like a tissue it's no good. The real thing can't be burned with a flame; it just shrivels away.
Click to expand...
Could you please share the source(s) for these tests? I have some Chinese masks that are supposed to be KN95 certified (equivalent of FFP2), but I suspect they might be fake :(
 
oldtimer said:
Re Chinese made surgical masks - it's hard to tell if you're getting a proper mask or something completely useless. As a starting point here are some tests you can do to indicate they might be alright.
First make sure there are three layers.
Click to expand...

How do you tell if there are 3 layers? I'm finding it very difficult, since I can't separate them out. I have a nasty feeling some I bought (from the local pharmacy, of all places!) are only two, because they seem very thin. Some of mine, I'm not sure whether they have 2 or 3 layers.


And, in case there's anyone here who's been blithely "decontaminating" their masks using UV light, BEWARE:
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/med...oronavirus/ar-BB16DH58?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=ASUDHP
 
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