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April 6, 2020

DIY Cloth Face Masks Tutorial

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DIY Cloth Face Masks Tutorial

Many cities are moving to enforce face masks in public. Many people are wondering, where can you find a mask when they are scarce? Today Foster Love - Together We Rise will walk you through making your own DIY face mask at home! But first, mask safety!

How to Wear a DIY Face Mask

When you are making your DIY face mask please consider the following.

  • the mask should fit snugly and comfortably against your face
  • the ties or ear loops are secure
  • there are multiple layers of fabric
  • you can breathe without restrictions while wearing the mask
  • the mask should be able to be machine washed and dried without warping
  • DO NOT FORGET TO WASH BETWEEN WEARS

Safety Tips For DIY Face Masks

Alright, here are some safety tips for wearing DIY cloth face masks.

  • Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.
  • Masks should be washed between wear.
  •  Using a washing machine to clean mask.

Get Started on Your No Sew DIY Face Mask

This is a very simple project! All you need are four materials, a bandana, coffee filter, scissors and rubber bands / hair ties. Here are the 5 easy steps:

    1. Cut the bottom of coffee filter.
    2. Lay out your bandana and fold both ends into the middle.
    3. Place the coffee filter in the middle of the bandana and again fold both ends to the middle.
    4. Place rubber bands / hair ties on each end of the bandana.
    5. Fold the ends and tuck one into the other.
    6. Stretch, place and done!

What the CDC has to Say About DIY Face Masks

Excellent, you have now made your DIY face mask. Some people may be worried about their mask not being medical grade. But here is what the CDC has to say.

CDC 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.

CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

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.

The cloth face coverings recommended 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, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope this project can help people create a DIY face mask with little effort. Being safe and informed is so important during these times.

As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 outbreak please consider helping foster youth. Get involved here. 

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