The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says nonmedical cloth facial coverings, for the public, help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and help people who may have the virus and are asymptomatic from transmitting it to others. N95 masks, which are in short supply, are best reserved for health care workers, who come into direct contact with COVID-19 patients.
Major retail chains like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, CVS and Walgreens say they have already mandated that all store employees wear masks or facial coverings. Customers now must wear them in stores, but enforcing the rule can be more challenging.
According to the CDC, masks should:
- Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with ties or ear loops
- Include multiple layers of fabric
- Allow for breathing without restriction
- Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
The Tribune has compiled resources below on what fabrics are best for homemade masks, how to make your own face mask, and who is making and donating them in the Chicago area.
What kind of face mask should you wear?
The N95 is the most effective mask and the ones that medical workers wear to protect themselves from the virus. These have been in short supply, so the general public should avoid them and look for disposable masks or washable cloth masks, which are less effective but good enough to capture vital particles from coming in or out of your mouth and nose. Here are the types of masks available.
How to make your own face mask
Don’t want to try to find one in stores or online? You can make your own at home. Here are all the tools and material you will need and a handy illustrated tutorial to get you started. And here’s how you can make one with common household items.
Best fabrics for homemade masks
A study by University of Chicago professor Supratik Guha and colleagues at Argonne National Laboratory tested more than 15 common household fabrics to see which were best for protecting against the coronavirus. The study investigated the fabric’s filtration efficiencies against the tiny droplets that are how COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses are spread. Wearing a mask or a cloth facial covering reduces the transmission of these respiratory droplets from an infected person, Guha says.
They found the most effective fabrics to be cotton, natural silk and chiffon; synthetic silk and satin did not provide as much protection. Hybrid combinations, such as high thread cotton, along with silk, chiffon or flannel also supplied broad filtration coverage. Read more here.
How to properly wash your face masks
Cloth masks are washable and reusable. If you’re looking to maximize hygienic handling of your cloth mask, take a look at this guide from Best Reviews on how to clean and sanitize your masks.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Chicagoans are sewing face masks. Inspired by requests from local doctors and nurses, as well as calls for masks from providers such as the Indiana-based Deaconess Health System, volunteers have taken to social media with hashtags such as #1millionmasks. They are dusting off their sewing machines, sharing material and elastic, and arranging drop-offs and pickups from front stoops and porches. Read more here.
Also, check out neighborhood Facebook pages or email groups to find homemade masks in your area. Here are some other options:
- Masks4Chi, a new nonprofit aims to distribute 350,000 free, reusable cloth masks throughout Chicago to raise awareness about mask use in an effort to help flatten the coronavirus curve. From Thursday to May 3, Masks4Chi will start the first stage of distribution with 25,000 masks.
- Local online marketplace Threadless, which sells T-shirts and other merchandise showcasing artist-submitted designs, is now pivoting its efforts to mask creation. Threadless.com consumers can buy three-ply, 100% polyester machine-washable face masks. Decorated with customizable art on one side, the reversible, reusable masks run an average $17 each. Read more here.
- Here are some Chicago-area mask giveaways planned around the time Pritzker’s order goes into effect, including from some Chicago aldermen.
- The Chicago Reader is selling masks to try and raise funds as they struggle with a loss of ad revenue, as nearly all media organizations have.
Like many new questions related to a new virus, there are few definitive answers about whether runners are more or less likely to possibly spread the virus — despite what might be floating around online. Runners can consider using a circular accessory known as a “buff,” which has light, moisture-wicking fabric, or other household items like bandannas or neck warmers that might be more suitable to exercising and the outdoor elements.
The Chicago Area Runners Association has released a guide on what it considers best practices during the pandemic. If running on sidewalks or in more crowded places, they advise wearing a mask. Read more on running, coronavirus and masks here.
