The Medical Community is Short on Masks, Here is How You Can Help

Are you looking for things to do at home? Can you sew? Would you want to do something to help the medical community and the high-risk community?

I have several health care workers as friends, actually a lot. I also have a lot of friends that have compromised immune systems, an extra lot.

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They all have something in common, they need masks. It is crazy to think that here in the United States that we are short on something as simple as face masks.

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Many people are being told to use the same mask as long as they can, this is not good. They are basically being rationed at this point.

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But, if you can sew and have some fabric stashed up, you can help!

You can sew face masks at home!

These would be great for your at-risk family members and friends. You could drop some off at the nursing homes, and to give to all medical workers.

They can wash and sanitize them and use them over and over.

This is definitely a great way to help while you are stuck at home and others are out there facing this head-on every day.

Here is a link to a PDF to go with the instructions in the video below.

The donated handmade masks will not be used in cases related to to the pandemic.

They will use these for other non-clinical needs so that they can save the masks needed for the virus.

There are several ways to make masks at home but they must be 4 layers of fabric for proper filtering.

This super easy face mask tutorial has a lot of step by step photos, which is really helpful for me. 

Below you will find a template for the style shown above. It’s a different style than the others.

Here is another tutorial for creating masks. Remember, these are not for clinical use. But some protection is better than none! In fact, the CDC says:

HCP use of homemade masks:
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.

Be sure to reach out by phone to your local medical workers, nursing homes, cancer treatment clinics, and many others!