Sewing in a Pandemic: Make Masks?
Sewing in a Pandemic: Make Masks?  
Podcast: Stitch Please
Published On: Wed Mar 25 2020
Description: Lisa's Cancelled 50th Birthday Party Donations Here: Patreon   Paypal   Cash AppThanks so much to ShanailR for sharing her image for this episode and for telling us about her experience in medical care providers battle against COVID19.Research: Here are some of the articles I read to better understand the efficacy of homemade masks as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).3M has doubled its production of N95 masks to a rate of 100 million a month. No certainly that it's enough. And based on the current shortage, it doesn't seem to be enough.Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks: Would They Protect in an Influenza Pandemic? from the journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health PreparednessCenters for Disease Control guidance on Facemasks includes the following comment on homemade masks (note: HCP = Health Care Provider): "In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face."The World Health Organization issued interim guidance in January 2020 about "Advice on the use of masks in the context of nCoV outbreak." The briefing document talked about not re-using masks and proper protocols for wearing them (for which I have included an additional link below). The final line of the paper is striking: "Cloth (e.g. cotton or gauze) masks are not recommended under any circumstance."To Mask or Not to Mask?Why Telling People They Didn't Need Masks Backfired, an opinion piece in the New York Times about the benefits of masks. You can get free access to the New York Times COVID19 articles by registering an email.When and How to Use Masks from the World Health OrganizationBest Materials for Masks: Please read to understand the very limited effectiveness homemade masks against COVID19. It is  better than nothing. Some materials are better than others....