Let's all start making homemade masks...

Let's do both... if one country can produce 10 million masks in 3 days and there are an awful lot of people doing not much at home at the moment... perhaps we can do something...

Slovakia has the same policy, I believe... I will check..

If the Czech republic have such a low number of Covid deaths, they must be doing something right.

Yes, they have a low number, but it's actually much higher per head of population than two of its four adjacent countries, Poland and Slovakia, which presumably haven't had the same policy? Austria and Germany have higher rates. I doubt if anyone's got their head around the reasons behind the variable spread of CV-19 yet, no doubt there will be many.

I did say earlier that our own government advice is updated daily, goldenlady. It could well be that they'll be wanting us to wear masks in certain circumstances in the near future. No doubt they'll give appropriate advice on what to wear and how to use them at that time.

If anyone's good with a needle, there's a Facebook group called For the Love of Scrubs that coordinates volunteers to sew masks and scrubs for care workers and hospital staff. They are the people who need them most.

If others an do what Blinko has done and paste the Czech video on their twitter and facebook pages, forward to friends and paste on to other websites as much possible and encourage people to start making their own masks. We need to act like a virus.

Nfk, could you wear a balaclava? Then you could wedge your mask underneath it.
Of course they wouldn’t allow you in a petrol station or bank??

The main thing, I think, is to ensure that everybody realises that the mask does not protect the wearer, only those around the wearer. There seems to be a misconception that the mask affords the wearer some protection.

There is also the worry that people do not always understand how to apply, remove and wear a mask properly without increasing the risk of infection.

I have seen some people who have advocated adding sequins, frills etc to the home made mask to make them more fun but, these masks must be either disposable or washable.

I have made some for local groups, passing them on to care homes and community carers. Now I am making for family and friends. They are not difficult. Here is an opportunity for Kirsty Allsop to use her crafting programme to demonstrate and encourage. I would say avoid the ear loop style as they can be uncomfortable. Elastic or ties around the back of the head is better.

If the Czech republic have such a low number of Covid deaths, they must be doing something right.

@Maggiemaybe

It did say on some of the online newspapers, that government advice is expected to change and people will be asked to wear some sort of face covering in shops and on public transport.

Do come back Eglantine, its the best place to live!

Oh NfkDumpling I haven’t heard lugholes for years.

I really should move back to Norfolk where people talk proper ?

@WOODMOUSE49

I feel we should tackle this in as many ways as we can.

With DH, I’m in total lockdown, so not going into shops or on public transport, but I am concerned as to how I’ll manage if I’m ever allowed out.

When I was going to the shops pre-lock-down I wore a tubular scarf which is double thickness and doubled it again. I hope that these will be ok as that’s all I can really use. I wear hearing aids and glasses so there’s no room left behind my lugholes for any more straps. When I wear goggles for swimming they always slide down so the double straps aren’t going to work either.

My other problem is that I partially lip-read and have terrible trouble understanding dentists and doctors muttering at me from behind their masks - so if compulsory mask wearing outside comes in I’m pretty much B*****ed!

Wearing homemade masks, with whatever material it is made from and how much it covers, are only there to stop the wearer spreading the virus.

Until there is a cure for it I'm for lockdown as one way and main way to stop the spread.

Masks for some will give a false sense of security and encourage going out more regularly.

Another reason given for wearing a mask was stop us touching our nose and mouth.

Wear a mask but please keep washing hands after taking the mask off.

Maybe just watch the first one... it's pretty short and very informative.

Indeed, and the advice changes daily as more is known about the virus and its spread. But I'm not even opening the YouTube videos posted on here. Too much information from different sources is confusing. I'd rather just check out the latest advice given by the WHO, the NHS or Public Health England. I think on balance they'll have the best advisors.

@Maggiemaybe

Thanks Maggiemaybe. Although I would like to point out scientists and experts have got it wrong historically sometimes...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMzjJjuxQI

Thanks Blinko

If you're going to use a mask, even though the WHO says it is advisable only in very specific circumstances, I hope you'll at least look at the guidelines surrounding mask wearing, as given by the acknowledged experts, not some random YouTube video. There are a lot of fakes out there.

www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

Thank you for this thread, goldenlady1 and for the links. I've shared on my FB page.

Dd just told me some people are using bras s suppose it depends how big boobs are I was thinking bra liners the ones you get in sport bra are a similar shape but don't know if any good trouble for me is I'm rubbish at sewing ?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZtEX2-n2Hc

Please watch this excellent video and pass it on to friends and family and paste in on other websites...

I am sure there are no doubt many art & craft websites and forums around the world I don't know of...

Good article goldenlady

Ok, you’ve convinced me, that on balance, we should allwear a mask when out in the community,

The benefits might just outweigh the false confidence problem. I still have worries about that.?

Eglantine, not in a single layer. It has to be folded apparently so you have several layers but I agree with Hetty58 that the best filter is probably a cut up Hepa filter meant for vacuum cleaners. Some are saying that paper coffee filters can do the job but let’s face it nothing , not even surgical masks, are going to give 100% protection against a virus which ,as crafty one pointed out, is smaller than a photon.
Goldenlady1 I agree with you that we all do what we can even if each precaution only makes a small difference.

Whenever official rule and regs are given to start lifting the lockdown, if wearing masks in public is not made mandatory, I despair!

In my (humble) opinion, what's the point of debating masks, yes or no? Unless it is proved conclusively that the wearing of masks encourages the spread of the virus, then EVERYONE should have to wear one. Whether we are incubating the virus or not, we should be trying to keep others safe all of the time.

Few things to consider? If you can blow out a candle, through your mask, no good. This should make us consider carefully the weave of the fabric we choose.

Cotton is the most absorbent, but not indefinitely - so a fresh mask should be worn after 4 hours.

Kill the virus by always washing masks @ 60 degrees C. minimum and for a minimum of 30 mins in the machine.

Having a pocket in the mask for something like a vacuum cleaner disposable bag or paper coffee filter inside is a good idea.

Mask must cover nose and mouth and best to incorporate piece of pipe cleaner, paper clip, wire, etc., sewn in place inside above nose that can be squeezed to fit bridge of nose, this gives extra fit and protection.

Yes, get those production lines going and stay safe. Very well done, the Czechs!!
Best wishes from a busily sewing town in S of France ??

Some science:

www.fast.ai/2020/04/13/masks-summary/