Masks: Information and Tutorials
Like many of you, we’ve spent the past few weeks in a state of incredulity, paralysis, intermittent productivity, reading [too many] news sources, adapting to changes in our routine, income, fruitfulness, sense of safety . . . I suppose we don’t need to explain it to you, we’re all experiencing some degree of the same shock.
We’d like to share information about masks. There is a lot of conflicting information out there, not only from lay sources but also from the experts. We heard from friends at UCLA Health that they were not allowed to use non-regulation masks, and that we should NOT sew for them. We heard from other friends with friends also employed by UCLA who welcome masks! We read the CDC directive telling us masks would not protect us from the virus, we’ve read op-ed pieces suggesting we wear them anyway, we’ve read emails from arts organizations and lifestyle publications and on and on.
Whew. So please find below links and light commentary on the best and breadth of what we’ve found. We wish you all continued good health and well being. And we hope you will comment below with additional links, resources, and ideas. Thank you!
This info comes from the State of CA and the Dept of Public Health:
The State of California recently issued face coverings guidance as recent research has indicated that COVID-19 patients may be infectious 48 hours prior to displaying symptoms. According to the California Department of Public Health, the primary role of a cloth face mask is to “reduce the release of infectious particles into the air when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes, including someone who has COVID-19 but feels well.” Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for previous public health recommendations (e.g., social distancing, frequent hand washing, not touching your face with unwashed hands and staying home as much as possible) but may help when added to these major interventions. N95 and medical grade masks should be reserved for first responders and medical workers.
Information about donating blood, patient care funds, and more can be found on the UCLA Health site, here.
The Washington Post: DIY Coronavirus Masks, Which One Should You Use, dated April 1, 2020
Link to download a PDF of the article here.
“Up to this point in the coronavirus pandemic, public health officials in the United States have advised healthy civilians against wearing face masks, despite a growing grass-roots masks-for-all movement. But Thursday evening, the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were expected to urge all Americans to wear face coverings in public.”
Providence St Joseph Health Face Mask You Tube Tutorial link
The New York Times by Farhad Manjoo It’s Time to Make Your Own Face Mask dated March 31, 2020
The internet abounds with mask designs, but the research suggests that as long as the mask covers your nose and mouth and is comfortable to wear, the specific pattern you choose may not matter very much.
Link to download a PDF of the article here
The CV Mask Project, link here
We are residents of the Coachella Valley who have organized to assist our medical community and healthcare providers in our fight against the Coronavirus Pandemic. Our goal is to produce protective face masks and gowns for our community healthcare providers. Currently, hospitals and clinical providers have a short supply of these necessary protective items. We are determined to help and keep them as safe as possible from infection.
Carol Frances Lung turned us on to this resource. We’ll be buying about 25 yards of fabric and Carrie will send material from this stash to the first people who request. You can email her here for details.
https://www.canvasetc.com/product/nonwoven-dust-cover-fabric/
SUAY: An LA-based textile co is accepting donations for their mask project: link here. From $5 - $1000.
Currently producing and distributing two tiers of masks: a reusable cotton masks for helpers/second tier workers and a semi-disposable (can be washed up to 2 times and remain effective) mask that pass OSHA fit testing standards for disposable respirators (we are talking true filtration). Help us mask this entire community and keep our beautiful wild LA from crumbling to this.
From the Sewing and Craft Alliance comes this information and tutorial: