Face Masks: What to know, and how to sew your own – Winston-Salem Journal

What to know

The CDC is recommending that everyone wear a cloth mask when going out in public. The Manufacturing Development Center at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist, recently conducted tests of about 400 cloth masks made by community volunteers. The tests looked at how well various types of material filtered out particles the size of many viruses and bacteria (0.3-1.0 microns in diameter). The effectiveness of the masks varied widely, with the best reaching 79% filtration compared to surgical masks at 62% to 65% filtration and N95 masks at 97%. However, according to Dr. Scott Segal, the chair of anesthesiology at Wake Forest Baptist and the originator of the tests, the worst-performing masks filtered out only 1% of particles. Here are some of the findings and other recommendations from Segal.

Tight weave fabric that doesnt show much light passing through is a good performing design.

Best materials and designs

Two layers of high-quality, heavyweight quilters cotton with a thread count of 180 or more

Fabrics with an especially tight weave and thicker thread, such as batiks or heavy T-shirt fabric

Double-layer mask with a simple cotton outer layer and an inner layer of flannel

A lower grade cotton (more open weave) with light passing through is a poorer performing design.

Inferior materials and designs

Single-layer masks

Double-layer designs using lower quality, lightweight cotton

Fabric used in breathable T-shirts designed to be porous

How can you tell suitable fabric?

Use the light test: If you hold the fabric up to a bright light, it shouldnt be easy to see light coming through it, and you shouldnt see a lot of light outlining the weave.

Other things to know

Masks are mostly to protect other people by reducing the chance an infected wearer can spread virus droplets by sneezing or coughing, even before they show other symptoms. However, masks can provide some protection for an uninfected wearer, depending on effectiveness.

Segal recommends using a design with ties over elastic loops, because ties can provide a tighter and more customizable fit. It can also be difficult to find elastic, and elastic can break down with repeated washings.

A well-fitting mask is likely to feel a bit uncomfortable and stuffy when wearing it. Wearing a mask takes some getting used to even for medical professionals, Segal said. You could try wearing a mask in your house first to get adjusted to it.

Dont touch your face after positioning the mask, and dont adjust the mask while youre out. This could spread any virus particles that get on the mask.

Its important to be able to breathe through the mask, and very thick fabric or HEPA vacuum bags could make that difficult. If a person cant breathe through the mask, theyre likely either to ditch the mask or to breathe around the sides of it, Segal said, defeating the purpose of wearing a mask.

Some vacuum bags and filter materials contain fiberglass threads, which could be dangerous to inhale.

Some mask designs utilize a pocket for a replaceable filter. The Baptist study didnt find that a filter added much more effectiveness to already good designs, but Segal said that some places have had success with them, so they are an option.

Even if a masks material isnt the best, something is generally better than nothing when it comes to covering your face.

NOTE

Homemade masks are no substitute for staying home, social distancing and proper handwashing technique (at least 20 seconds with soap and water). Those are still the best ways to fight the COVID-19 virus. Dont let wearing a mask give you a false sense of security or entice you to relax your social distancing.

What youll need

Removing and caring for masks

Wash hands after removing the mask and after changing the interior filter, if your mask has one. Change the filter after every time you go out.

Moisture from your breath makes the mask less effective, so dont reuse a wet mask.

Untie by the straps. Dont touch the front of the mask as you remove it.

Wash masks in the washing machine with detergent in hot water after use.

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Face Masks: What to know, and how to sew your own - Winston-Salem Journal