How to Make a Coronavirus (COVID-19) face mask

Want to learn to make your own Coronavirus (COVID-19) face mask? With the Coronavirus pandemic crisis is affecting people worldwide, officials are now saying that it may be beneficial to wear a face mask when outside of your home. Making a mask can be an easy and fun DIY project you can do in order to protect yourself. We’ve got a great video tutorial where you’ll learn how to make a face mask – no sewing machine required!

It is important to remember that Homemade masks are not a substitute for social distancing and staying inside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends everyone wear 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.

However, if you want to learn to make masks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can help. They have some simple, step-by-step instructions to make your face mask, whether or not you know how to sew.

DIY Coronavirus (COVID-19) Face Mask Tutorial

Materials you’ll need to make a face mask

Bandana, handkerchief, T-shirt or square cotton cloth, about 20″ x 20″
Coffee filter
Rubber bands or hair ties

Directions

Cut the bottom off a folded coffee filter. Keep the top part — you’ll need it for the filter in your mask.
Lay a bandana or 20″ x 20″ T-shirt flat in a rectangle. Fold the bandana or shirt in half lengthwise.
Fold the cut filter in the center of the folded bandana or shirt. Then, fold the top of the bandana or shirt down over the filter. Fold the bottom up.
Place rubber bands or hair ties around the folded bandana or shirt, about 6 inches apart.
Fold the side of the bandana or shirt in toward the middle and tuck.
Place the rubber bands or hair ties around your ears, and voila — you’ve made a face mask, no sewing required.

You can view another tutorial on how to make a face mash on the CDC’s website with printable images.

Some people have questions about the intricacies of wearing a face mask. We wanted to cover some common Coronavirus (COVID-19) face mask questions and answers that you may be interested in.

Common Coronavirus (COVID-19) Face Mask Questions and Answers

How do I wear a face mask?

Masks are only effective if you wear them properly. The World Health Organization has lots of informative videos, and printable signs and infographics for public use so everyone can be informed. You can check them out here.

General rules for face masks:

Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before touching or putting on the mask.
Make sure your entire nose and mouth are covered when you put it on.
Avoid touching the mask while you’re out. This can contaminate it.
Do not take the mask off while you’re in public.
To take it off once you return, untie it from the back — don’t touch the front of it.
You should immediately wash the mask after returning so it doesn’t contaminate your belongings.
Wash your hands immediately after you’ve taken it off, and again after you’ve washed the mask.

Are face masks even effective against Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Homemade mask studies have shown that they’re significantly less effective than surgical masks. They’re certainly no replacement for the essential N95 respirators health care workers must wear to treat patients. However, they are better than nothing, especially for people who only go out to make a quick trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.

Again, it is important to note that masks cannot replace social distancing measures. Maintaining at least six feet of distance from others and staying home as much as possible is still the best way to prevent the spread of the virus.

How do you clean them?

You should launder the masks before and after each use. This cleans off any germs you might have picked up in public. Hand wash the masks or put them in a mesh wash bag in the washing machine so they don’t fall apart, and use a high heat setting.