The demand for face masks for medical workers is huge. Hospitals and governments are outbidding each other on a global scale. So what about healthy designers who want to leave their house for a walk, shopping, or who want go for a run? They improvise something themselves. Around the world people are showing their home made facial protection online.
Note: fabric masks are not proven protection against infection
Femke van Gemert, waste textiles artist, did some research and tried her hand at one of the many (many many) DIY-videos on youtube. She used simple materials found around her house.
Although these masks are definitely are not safe around COVID-19 patients and they offer some protection. According to doctor K. Wong from Hong Kong it is important is that the mask is made from two layers of cloth with some sort of filter in between. For this replaceable filter normal kitchen cleaning paper can be used. The top layer should be made from non-woven synthetic material (like some laundry bags from hotels, give away shopping bags etc). The other layer can be made from an old pillow cover, a handkerchief or an old cotton shawl. As long as you are able to breathe through it.
Check out Femke’s attempt:
The results, as shown on the artist’s Instagram.
On Youtube, many videos explain how to make face masks yourself.
Here’s a selection TO GET YOU STARTED:
HK MASK 戴法 by K. Kwong
How to Make Face Mask(Visual Language)#DIY Mask by Kru Aree Official
DIY Covid-19 Fabric Mask (with Filter Pocket) Sewing Tutorial by Maker’s Habitat KL
How to SEW a Medical FACE MASK // TUTORIAL by Erica Arndt
SURGICAL STYLE 3 PLEATS FACE MASK, 3 LAYERS PATTERN by Shanniemakes
DIY Surgical/Face Mask with Filter (#1) | 3 ply mask (washable) by Health and Lifestyle
How to sew Face Mask with Filter Fabric + easy Pattern by SaltyDIY
DIY FACE MASK WITH SLOT FOR FILTER by Ae PooiM
WEARING THE FACE MASk the right way
A doctor explains
To conclude: here’s a doctor from China explaining how you should wear the face mask.
Doctor explains the proper way to wash your hands and put on a face mask – South China Morning Post
FACE MASKING
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We can imagine you feel the urgent need to DIY right now. So get up and dust of the sewing machine and start Face Masking today. Be sure to document your efforts and share them via social media using the hashtag #whatdesigncando. Or send them to us via comms@whatdesigncando.com. We will be coming back to DIY initiatives in the coming weeks more often.