Face masks

[fuchsia-pink]

Today's press is suggesting that lock-down is likely to be reduced in phases and at some point we may be obliged to wear face masks - perhaps just on pubic transport, perhaps more widely. There seems to be agreement that we shouldn't wear "proper" face masks that the NHS need, but can make them ourselves. They won't give us much protection ourselves but should help those around us, eg by absorbing coughs and sneezes.

A post a week or so back showed how to make one with a T shirt, folded over and over plus elastic bands: I tried do make one this morning and it was really hot and unpleasant to wear.

Other press suggestion have included making one from half a bra - but that's just weird. I have, though, made a nifty one from knickers!

Take a pair of (clean) pants and put on over head, so your neck is in a leg-hole. Put the "bottom" fabric over your mouth and nose [no thongs here!] and then tie the excess fabric in a knot at the back of your neck. It's easy to make it tight enough to stay on, and with only one layer of fabric over your mouth it's comfortable. Easy to take on and off; easy to wash; cheap to buy a multi-pack of plain cotton pants; no need for elastic bands etc

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lots of suggestions for home made masks here, click through the pictures (you don't need to be a member of facebook, it's a public page so anyone can see it):

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid...

😉 😂

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Love them.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Brightened up my day when I saw them, some of them had me in stitches 😄

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Me too

[greygoose in reply to SeasideSusie]

I love the one with the horse's head! That would be my choice. Actually, I was thinking, once we're let out, I'd get one of those Tyrannosaures Rex costumes for wear in public. I've always wanted one of those, and this seems like a golden opportunity…

[Hidden]

If this comes into force I intend wearing my welding helmet. That should get a few laughs!

Much more protection than a pair of knickers!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Not my knickers 🤣

[Lalatoot]

If you adapt a bra and use one cup to make a face mask, make sure you use the left cup. This is important as you don't want to end up looking like a right tit!

[Hidden in reply to Lalatoot]

Literally hilarious! 🙏

[Localhero in reply to Lalatoot]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Angel_of_the_North]

I tried the pants one from a YouTube video but it didn't work as my ears aren't big enough. I feel as though I can't breathe if I have something over my nose and therefore get an instant asthma attack, so I hope this doesn't happen. Of course it would mean that I'd never have to speak to anyone else as I wouldn't be able to see their lips move - so that would be a positive.

[Hillwoman in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

😂

[crimple]

I used half a bra after seeing masks being made in an Italian factory!! Don't need a sewing machine, just needle and thread to sew on the ear loops (knicker elastic from supermarket) You tube had loads of videos including USA surgeon general Jerome with a piece of T shirt and rubber bands. Pleated face masks really can only be made with a sewing machine unless you have super strong hands to pull the needle through!

[RedApple in reply to crimple]

Crimple 'I used half a bra'

I'm smiling here! Is the bra a pretty, pretty lacy one or a plain 100% cotton one? And how do you decide what cup size is best?

[crimple in reply to RedApple]

Since I was practising I used a lightly padded bra that was lace on outside but of course plain (black ) inside. It is the inside that faces out! I just turned up the top edge of the cup until the fit was right. had an hilarious time with my 2 daughters, one complaining her bra wasn't big enough and the other complaining that she couldn't see a thing LOL

I can only wear it for about 10 minutes before over heating! Glasses steam up. manage to get newspaper and about 4 items such as milk, fruit, bread.

I have every admiration for the medics, nurses and carers who have to wear them for a full shift.

HMGov should really have been on the case of British manufacture much sooner.

[fuchsia-pink in reply to crimple]

That's one of the benefits of the pants! Thinner fabric so not nearly as stuffy

Still wouldn't want to wear one for hours and hours though ...

[LivingWithHT]

Over here, it’s compulsory to wear face masks whenever we go out grocery shopping/running errands. It’s no fun and it’s suffocating, even in the cloth face masks. Your face ends up being sweaty and it’s harder to breathe...and doctors/nurses/medical workers need to be wearing those things almost all day, it must be awful...

[userotc]

Not averse to wearing my mum's (clean) knickers on my head... But seriously, what about a mask made from paper/kitchen roll? I've made and used one just for the 30 mins I'm in a supermarket which I believe is my highest risk. The main advantages are that it is easily and quickly made and disposed afterwards so no need to clean.

I'm sure it's not ideal in terms of protection properties but neither are most others as I understand.

[EbonyEvans]

I combat the condensation with a panty liner. I also spray the reusable ones at night with anti bacterial spray (not proven to help but if were washing out hands in it then you never know! And leave to air dry. Every little bit helps as Tesco quote.

[Angel20]

If you go YouTube and search how to make a face mask from a sock you will be surprised how easy it is, and it looks good.

[fuchsia-pink in reply to Angel20]

I'm guessing you need elastic though?

[helvella Administrator in reply to fuchsia-pink]

It is easy enough to use something like a ribbon and tie round the back of the head.

[Angel20 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

No elastic no string, nothing, basically you will be using the sock material, watch the videos there many on how to make a face mask from your socks.

[fuchsia-pink in reply to Angel20]

Just seen the video - neat! - albeit it destroys the sock, whereas with pants at least you can wear them later

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angel20]

Using socks is supposed to be ineffective, it's too "open", masks need tightly woven 100% cotton like quilter's fat quarters, high thread count cotton sheets, etc. It's recommended to avoid "knit" type fabrics.

There's a good article and video here goodhousekeeping.com/health...

[Angel20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

It’s better than nothing don’t you think

Uploading the video is to make others aware that it’s possible to make a mask when there are non on the market difficult to get. I don’t need to see the video as I have 30 medical masks

Thanks anyway

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angel20]

It’s better than nothing don’t you think

Unlikely, when you read that fabric from 600 thread count pillowcase folded 4 times can filter out 60% of particles, I doubt if a sock would give any protection against droplets from coughs, sneezes and speech. Anything that stretches can't filter out the small viral particles found in exhaled respiratory droplets.

There are others reading this thread and the video is there for information for everyone.

[fuchsia-pink in reply to SeasideSusie]

The you-tube video I saw had a folded paper towel put into the sock (with the ends cut off and ear straps made from a small incision in the ends) - and the person making the mask then demonstrated that she couldn't blow out a cig lighter through the mask. As such, I suspect it would contain most droplets from a sneeze or a cough - and that's really the best you can hope for with a non-surgical mask.

[Angel20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I really do think people can make up their own minds

The video I uploaded is a way of making up a mask 😷

After that each can decide if it’s rigjt for them or not

I am not going to justify or debate

Thanks

[Angel20]

youtu.be/Ky4mDHM3a_o(Not working as expected?)

[Angel20]

its this easy