Face mask manual from Indian Government

[Haffiana]

I suspect that UK (and WHO) guidelines about face coverings may be about to change shortly.

Here is a simple and practical manual for a homemade mask issued by the Indian Government.

Yes, sure, a homemade mask will not prevent the spread of virus, but they will help limit the spread of virus, in exactly the same way as keeping 2m apart will limit but not prevent the spread of virus.

Just to forestall anyone posting that a home-made mask cannot stop virus spreading and may 'give a false sense of protection blah', we need to remember that the aim of the current Social Distancing guidelines in the UK is to limit the spread in the general population, to slow it down to levels where our Health Service can cope. The aim isn't to prevent it entirely. A mask can help with this.

164.100.117.97/WriteReadData/userfiles/FINAL%20MASK%20MANUAL.pdf

The really useful thing about this mask is that it ties behind the head, rather than relying on elastic which doesn't fit everyone and can be hard to get hold of.

Bumping this for anyone who wants a simple pattern for making a cotton mask.

Thanks for this. I agree with mask wearing - by everyone if possible, even these homemade masks. There's something in the Guardian today about the viral load - surely masks will reduce the viral load?

I think it's rubbish when people say you'll touch your face more and that they'll give a false sense of security - perhaps if you're stupid. To me they're just one more thing to help - personally I'd only have to use one when shopping for food as I'm at home the rest of the time and when I do go for a walk I either cross the road to avoid people or walk in middle of the road to keep the 2m distance. I'd feel happier wearing one for a quick shop and think if everyone did while still observing the 2m distance etc then I think they'd help.

People keep saying they don't stop you getting it but stop you transmitting it - but surely then it's obvious if everyone wore one it would help?

I’ve been looking at face mask patterns.

This is the best one I’ve seen as it fits around nose and cheeks. She also shows you how to take it off properly.

I have discovered that if you cut the leg of old leggings, then cut a piece of the leg about 8 to 10 inches and fold it.( Its best to go higher up the leg depending on the size you need.)
Put it over your head and around your neck, pull it up over your mouth and its a fancy face mask.
I need to get out more I know but it is a handy tip.

Thanks OP.

I agree Mycat - I think this is one of the best I've seen and so simple too.

That’s a really good one Mycat, thanks. I had an old sewing machine in the shed that someone gave me and I’d never used. I’ve spent the last three days driving myself mental trying to figure out how to thread it and making really terrible masks.

I’ve ruined pillowcases and almost lost my mind with frustration. Wish I’d seen this video last week!

Thanks, I'll be making some of these.

That’s brilliant MyCat, thank you.

Thanks for sharing. Countries like India will be quick to start advocating masks because they need any low-cost intervention that slows spread---trying to lock everyone down in India is going to be near impossible because huge numbers of people have a choice of, either they work or their kids starve.

I'd rather trust the American CDC than the Indian govt to be honest.

The CDC have their own manual on how to stitch your own mask

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Actually the guide from the Indian government looks more in-depth & probably gives a better end product. The 2 sewn ideas on the US CDC guide are easier to do but don't look like they'd stand up to repeated use as well. There is 1 "no-sew" idea that looks ok though.

Any tips for hand sewing?
I heard a doc on BBC back in January say that one of the problems with masks is they get moist from your breath which provides a surface for the virus to stick to. She thought it increases the risk for the wearer. I don't know who or what to believe. She did say it would protect others though.

Masks like these ARE to protect others.

The most likely way we will get infected is by touching a surface that has been coughed or sneezed on (including our own clothes and bodies if we get too close) and then touching our face. So hand washing is the real way to stop that, and avoiding face touching when out and about.

However a mask will stop a really good percentage of those coughs etc from landing on surfaces. They will protect others. They may have some effectiveness in stopping us from actually inhaling virus but it is secondary with a droplet-borne virus like coronavirus. Hands must be washed after removing the mask and sticking it in the washing machine.

The other problem with masks is that whatever people say or think, studies show that they can INCREASE the amount of times we touch our face because they are prone to slipping and we end up adjusting them. So when wearing a mask we need to be aware of that and avoid doing so.

Nevertheless, I personally think that if you use a mask intelligently, aware of all the above, then they will help to slow virus transmission. Just do not imagine that they will magically protect you and that you can ignore all other measures such as social distancing.