Is it the socially responsible thing to do, or are you just creating a virus trap?
The Target team and Heather Davis (AWC Antwerp) put together this short piece to provide you with more information.
Many of you have questions about the wearing of masks: Should I be wearing one? What kind of mask should it be? Will a mask protect me? At this point, it appears that the greatest mode of transmission of the Coronavirus is through droplets released by sneezing, coughing or singing. There is mounting evidence, however, that smaller particles from exhaled air (produced just by talking or breathing), known as aerosols, may also play a role. This is why social distancing is so important right now! Droplets are heavy enough that they will fall to the ground before you breathe them in, if you are standing at least 1.5 m away from the source. Aerosols are lighter and float easily, and while they dry up quickly, modelling shows that in the right conditions (breeze, windstream behind a cyclist) they could, in theory, infect someone up to 6-7 m away.
What is the role of a mask?
- It is really important to understand that the role of the mask is different for health care professionals than for the general public.
- Health care workers wear special N95 respirator masks that filter out viruses and will help protect them from becoming infected as they deal with COVID-19 patients. Ideally, such masks have a tight fit to prevent air flowing in from the sides, and the worker should also wear an eye or face shield to prevent the virus from infecting them through the eyes.
- In contrast, the purpose of the cloth or paper “surgical masks” recommended for the general public is to protect others from you in the event that you are infected, especially if you have no symptoms and thus may not be in self-quarantine. A mask should reduce the amount and distance that virus can go into the air when you exhale, cough or sneeze.
- Due to a worldwide critical shortage of N95 masks, it is important that the general public do not try to obtain these. Just follow social distancing rules, and when you can’t (e.g., public transportation, intersections where people congregate to wait for a green light), wear a cloth mask that you can make yourself. In some jurisdictions it is a requirement to wear a cloth mask any time you are outside your home, so be aware of your local rules.
How will cloth masks work?
- First and foremost, a cloth mask is not a guaranteed protection for anyone, and therefore it is important that you don’t take greater risks just because you and other people are wearing masks.
- The wearing of a cloth mask by an infected person primarily helps to slow transmission from the mask-wearer to others by interrupting the trajectory of droplets in situations where a distance of 1.5 m is not maintained.
- Since it is now clear that a significant proportion of transmission is by asymptomatic carriers, it is prudent to consider that everyone is potentially infected, even when completely symptom-free. Thus, the recommendation is for everyone to wear a mask when social distancing rules can’t be followed.
- Wearing a mask to protect yourself from getting infected MAY have some value, if only to simply put some type of barrier between you and an infected person who is not adhering to social distancing guidelines. BUT wearing a homemade mask should not be considered a protection for yourself, as aerosols could pass through, and you can still be exposed through the eyes or by later touching your face with contaminated hands. Therefore, continuing social distancing and scrupulous hand washing is essential.
A few practical aspects to consider if you should make a mask:
- The level of protection depends on the quality of the fabric and the fit of the mask; loosely woven fabric and a loosely fitted mask will not provide protection.
- The best fabric to choose is 100% cotton, which can be washed at 90 degrees Celsius
- Quilting fabric is the best option, or good quality sheeting/pillowcases of high thread count, or tightly woven kitchen cloths.
- The mask can be attached to the face by two means:
- Elastic loops that go over the ears, with elastic attached to the top and bottom of each side of the mask
- Cloth ties that are tied behind the head (two sets of ties, top and bottom of each side)
- Adding a layer of paper towel in between two layers of fabric could make your mask more efficient; the CDC recommended a coffee filter which has relatively fine pores. Please remember that paper filters in your mask should be used ONLY ONCE and then discarded.
How should you wear a mask?
- Wash your hands before donning a mask.
- The area of your face that is covered should include from the bridge of your nose to under your chin.
- Your nose should always be covered. While it may feel stifling to cover your nose, all benefit is lost if the nose is left out, as viruses can be exhaled through the nose.
- The ties or ear loops should be pulled so that the mask fits snugly against your face.
- Some masks have pleats to allow more space for your nose; the folds should face downward.
- Your mask should never rest on your neck!
How to care for your home-sewn mask:
- Wash your mask daily in hot soapy water; the temperature of the water should be 60-90 degrees Celsius.
- Air dry or use a dryer to dry it.
- Don’t use bleach or other chemicals, as this will degrade the fibres and cause damage to your mask.
Patterns for making masks:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html#
- https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
For more information on COVID-19, please refer to the fact sheet: