Coronavirus: how to make your homemade mask?

France has taken some time to encourage the wearing of a mask to limit the spread of Covid-19. Now, the government is redoubling its efforts to stock up on masks, coveted by the whole planet where the pandemic has killed more than 75,000 people. "Safe orders" reach 1.6 billion units, assured the French Minister of Health Olivier Véran.

These stocks will be reserved for caregivers and infected people. But the widespread wearing of the mask remains an "open question," said the minister. On the side of the scientific community, the wider use of the mask is already recommended to limit the transmission of the virus. In a press release of April 2, the National Academy of Medicine believes that "the widespread use of a mask by the population would be a logical addition to the barrier measures currently in force".

Faced with the shortage of anti-projection masks, the Academy recommends the use of "alternative" masks, to be worn during the necessary outings during confinement. These fortunes masks - which do not have the protective qualities of surgical masks or FFP2 masks - can be made at home, following practical recommendations which should be made known to everyone.

Seamless mask

Online tutorials allow you to start making your own makeshift mask. Among those recommended by the Academy of Medicine, there is that of Professor Garin, occupational physician for the engineering company Artelia. He explains how to make an anti-projection mask, without any talent for seamstress.

This simple mask only requires a paper napkin, rubber bands, a stapler and hydroalcoholic gel "to decontaminate the hands before starting to make the mask," said the professor. "You have to fold the towel in an accordion, put an elastic band at each end and staple it," explains the professor, adding that this mask is particularly suitable for children.

"The particularity of this mask is not to filter the air, reminds Professor Garin, but to prevent the spread of saliva particles, which are potentially contaminated by the virus". The mask therefore acts as a "screen that absorbs droplets". After removal, this potentially contaminated mask should be discarded in a plastic bag.

Sewing mask

Another video, broadcast by the French sterilization company (SFS), proposes the making of more elaborate masks intended for non-caring health personnel. This mask requires a square of SMS ("Spunbound-Metblown-Spunbound", a material used by sterilization units for the packaging of surgical instruments after sterilization) and sewing equipment. The SFS recalls that these masks cannot be used either as surgical masks or by caregivers in contact with patients.

Patterns for sewing simple fabric masks (such as cotton scraps) are also available online. The CHU of Grenoble Alpes, in Isère, notably distributed a sewing pattern to its nursing staff so that they could sew their masks with a simple cotton drop, a sheet of fine fleece or fleece for the lining and elastics. In the video below, a seamstress applies the recommendations of the CHU.

Otherwise, a simple scarf

Finally, in the absence of sewing equipment, it is possible to use a simple scarf to tie on the nose. These masks should be washed at 60 degrees after each use. And as the WHO emphasizes, wearing a mask does not replace barrier gestures, hand washing and compliance with measures of confinement and social distancing.

# Covid_19: do-it-yourself protective masks #AFP pic.twitter.com/Ja3fbATnbh

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