How to Make Your Own Face Mask
2020-04-21
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1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.
2Much of the world was caught off guard by the new coronavirus.
3In many ways and in many places, governments, health care providers and average people were not ready.
4Some hospitals, doctors offices and emergency workers found themselves in short supply of personal protective equipment, also called PPE.
5Local officials in many parts of the world suggest wearing a face mask in public.
6A simple cloth face covering can help to slow the spread of the virus.
7But face masks can be hard to find. High quality ones used by professionals need to be reserved for healthcare workers.
8So, people are making their own.
9You can make your own cloth face mask from common, household items.
10To help guide people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has how-to tips on its website.
11The website explains that cloth face coverings should do the following:
12fit securely but comfortably around the side of the face
13be secured with ties or ear loops
14include two or more layers of fabric
15permit for easy breathing
16be able to be washed and dried without damage or change to shape
17Health officials recommend using 100 percent cotton for a face mask.
18Now, for those people who cannot sew, there are ways to make no-sew face masks.
19The CDC shows two ways on its website.
20One uses a cotton t-shirt. The other method uses a coffee filter. (How-to images courtesy of the CDC)
21Here is a step-by-step process for making a face mask from a 100 percent cotton T-shirt.
22However, if you do not have a 100 percent cotton t-shirt, you can use other materials that are easy-to-find.
23You will not need string to tie it around your face if you follow the directions.
24You will use the T-shirt fabric to make tie "strings."
25Here is what you will need:
26cotton T-shirt
27scissors.
281. First, cut 18 to 20 centimeters from the bottom of the t-shirt.
29This will leave you with a double-layered rectangle of fabric.
302. Keep the fabric doubled.
31From only one edge of the fabric, cut out an inner rectangle about 15 to 17 centimeters wide.
32This will leave the outer edges on the top and bottom as tie strings.
333. Fit the mask securely over your nose and mouth.
34Tie the fabric "strings" around your neck and over the top of your head.
35The next face mask uses a bandana or scarf and a common kitchen product - a coffee filter. Here is what you will need:
36a bandana (or a square cotton cloth about 50x50 centimeters)
37a coffee filter
38rubber bands (or hair ties)
39and scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)
401. First cut the top off of a coffee filter.
41The one pictured on the CDC website is a cone-shaped filter.
42But you could use other shapes as well.
432. Lay out your scarf (or bandana) and find the center.
443. Place the cut piece of coffee filter in the center of the folded scarf. Fold the top down.
45Then fold the bottom up.
46So, the coffee filter is folded inside the scarf.
47Now, the scarf is a narrow rectangle.
484. Put rubber bands or hair ties around the scarf rectangle.
49Place them a little more than 15 centimeters apart.
505. Fold the sides into the middle.Tuck them in so they stay in place.
516. This will make a narrow rectangle with ear loops on either end.
527. Fit the face mask securely over your nose and mouth.
53Slip the ties (rubber bands or hair ties) over your ears.
54Health officials say to remove a face mask from behind.
55Do not touch the front of the mask.
56The CDC says to avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes.
57Also, wash your hands immediately after removing it.
58Other health experts add that you should store the used mask in a plastic bag and not touch it again until it is cleaned.
59The CDC suggests that you wash your masks after each use.
60CDC experts say that a washing machine should be enough to kill the virus.
61However, other health experts say that may not be enough.
62Some suggest cleaning the masks for 10 minutes in boiling water or in a bleach solution before washing.
63If you do not have a washing machine, hand wash with soap and hot water.
64Not everyone should wear a face mask.
65Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2.
66Also, people should not wear a face mask if they have trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help.
67Wearing a cloth facevmask may reduce the risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus.
68However, the CDC and other health organizations give this important warning: Cloth masks should be used with other methods, such as social distancing, handwashing and staying at home.
69And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo.
1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. 2Much of the world was caught off guard by the new coronavirus. In many ways and in many places, governments, health care providers and average people were not ready. 3Some hospitals, doctors offices and emergency workers found themselves in short supply of personal protective equipment, also called PPE. 4Local officials in many parts of the world suggest wearing a face mask in public. A simple cloth face covering can help to slow the spread of the virus. But face masks can be hard to find. High quality ones used by professionals need to be reserved for healthcare workers. 5So, people are making their own. 6You can make your own cloth face mask from common, household items. To help guide people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has how-to tips on its website. 7The website explains that cloth face coverings should do the following: 8fit securely but comfortably around the side of the face 9be secured with ties or ear loops 10include two or more layers of fabric 11permit for easy breathing 12be able to be washed and dried without damage or change to shape 13Health officials recommend using 100 percent cotton for a face mask. 14But what if I don't know how to sew? 15Now, for those people who cannot sew, there are ways to make no-sew face masks. The CDC shows two ways on its website. One uses a cotton t-shirt. The other method uses a coffee filter. (How-to images courtesy of the CDC) 16Cotton T-shirt face mask 17Here is a step-by-step process for making a face mask from a 100 percent cotton T-shirt. However, if you do not have a 100 percent cotton t-shirt, you can use other materials that are easy-to-find. 18You will not need string to tie it around your face if you follow the directions. You will use the T-shirt fabric to make tie "strings." 19Here is what you will need: 20a bandana (or a square cotton cloth about 50x50 centimeters) 21a coffee filter 22rubber bands (or hair ties) 23and scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth) 241. First, cut 18 to 20 centimeters from the bottom of the t-shirt. This will leave you with a double-layered rectangle of fabric. 252. Keep the fabric doubled. From only one edge of the fabric, cut out an inner rectangle about 15 to 17 centimeters wide. This will leave the outer edges on the top and bottom as tie strings. 263. Fit the mask securely over your nose and mouth. Tie the fabric "strings" around your neck and over the top of your head. 27Bandana & coffee filter face mask 28The next face mask uses a bandana or scarf and a common kitchen product - a coffee filter. Here is what you will need: 29cotton T-shirt 30scissors. 311. First cut the top off of a coffee filter. The one pictured on the CDC website is a cone-shaped filter. But you could use other shapes as well. 322. Lay out your scarf (or bandana) and find the center. 333. Place the cut piece of coffee filter in the center of the folded scarf. Fold the top down. Then fold the bottom up. So, the coffee filter is folded inside the scarf. Now, the scarf is a narrow rectangle. 344. Put rubber bands or hair ties around the scarf rectangle. Place them a little more than 15 centimeters apart. 355. Fold the sides into the middle.Tuck them in so they stay in place. 366. This will make a narrow rectangle with ear loops on either end. 377. Fit the face mask securely over your nose and mouth. Slip the ties (rubber bands or hair ties) over your ears. 38How to remove a face mask 39Health officials say to remove a face mask from behind. Do not touch the front of the mask. The CDC says to avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Also, wash your hands immediately after removing it. 40Other health experts add that you should store the used mask in a plastic bag and not touch it again until it is cleaned. 41How to wash a cloth face mask 42The CDC suggests that you wash your masks after each use. CDC experts say that a washing machine should be enough to kill the virus. 43However, other health experts say that may not be enough. Some suggest cleaning the masks for 10 minutes in boiling water or in a bleach solution before washing. 44If you do not have a washing machine, hand wash with soap and hot water. 45Who should not wear cloth face coverings? 46Not everyone should wear a face mask. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2. Also, people should not wear a face mask if they have trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help. 47Wearing a cloth face mask is not enough. 48Wearing a cloth facevmask may reduce the risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus. However, the CDC and other health organizations give this important warning: Cloth masks should be used with other methods, such as social distancing, handwashing and staying at home. 49And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo. 50Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 51________________________________________________________________ 52Words in This Story 53caught off guard expression : to be surprised by something unexpected 54tip -n. a piece of advice or useful information 55comfortably -adj. done with no physically unpleasant feelings 56recommend -v. to suggest that someone do (something) 57sew -v. to make or repair something using a needle and thread 58fabric -n. a material like a cloth 59bleach -n. a strong chemical that is used to make something clean or white 60respirator -n. a device worn over the mouth and nose that aids breathing when there is a pollutant in the air 61tuck -v. to push the end of (something, such as a piece of cloth or paper) into or behind something in order to hold it in place, make it look neat, etc.