Free time? Sewing machine? Make surgical masks.

[Skidmore]

Last edited Thu Mar 19, 2020, 07:41 AM - Edit history (2)

Link to tweet

?s=20

Extreme shortage of masks for our healthcare workers. Help, if you can.

Note that this request on Twitter was made by a physician.

[OhioChick]

1. I'd like to see this but don't have a Twitter account

I'd love to know how.

Thank you for posting.

Scratch that.....viewable now.

[blogslut]

3. For those without Twitter:

[Skidmore]

13. Comment section on that tweet added

that cloth masks can be lined with coffee filters.

[handmade34]

2. ...

have no problem making dozens but need to know where they could go???

[MFGsunny]

5. State of New York Health Dept. might be one place. n/t

[Skidmore]

9. Check with your local hospital first

to see what their need is..

[MFGsunny]

4. Please correct title in OP. Should read "surgical masks" not "surgical maps"

It will help much needed OP exposure as people use search function to check about MASKS.

OP is such a good idea - want to see it passed on!

[dewsgirl]

6. I was like what's a surgical map, sounds interesting.

[Skidmore]

10. Sorry, autocorrect .

[Nonhlanhla]

7. How would this help?

Would regular fabric not just let particles go through?

[Skidmore]

8. People should check with local hospitals

to see what the need is. There are critical shortages of masks. In some locations, Healthcare workers have been told to tear strips from their gowns or to bring bandanas from home.

[OhioChick]

12. An ICU nurse that I know who is taking care of patients

Is being told to do so without the use of even a flimsy surgical mask.

She's terrified and knows she's going to get the virus with absolutely no protection.

[Freddie]

11. Any particular kind of fabric?

Thanks!

[Skidmore]

14. Fabric in the picture

looks like cotton.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. Filtration media

There are media for dust. I actually have about 3 of those, I think the media is akin to, or perhaps actually, Tyvek. There would be plenty of that around. But there are also hazmat masks, I think with denser media, and some with charcoal. These are rated for chemical exposure, pesticides and the like.

There are sure to be tons of elastic ribbon in sewing kits and baskets all across America.

[Vinca]

15. I've got the machine, the material and the time, but I'd want to send them

where they're most needed. Last night I was also wondering if the masks they're using now could be resterilized. Decades ago I worked in a hospital central supply briefly and started thinking about autoclaves.

[certainot]

17. might make seal better with a light coating of lexel type caulk around the edges

very rubbery when dried

[former9thward]

18. No professional could or would wear them.

Masks have standards for material, design and what can flow thru them. Nothing made on a home sewing machine would meet those standards. If you want to make one for yourself, fine. But no one who really needs one would wear them.