Son & Dad: DIY mask

The CDC has changed its policy regarding face masks. They are encouraging Americans to wear a cloth mask to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Dad followed CDC’s Bandana Face Covering (no sew method) instructions for making his mask as follows:

CDC’s Bandana Face Covering (no sew method)

It should be noted that there are better materials to make a mask than cotton bandanas and a coffee filter. The NYTimes addresses this in their article, ‘What’s the Best Material for a Mask’. They concluded that “The best-performing designs were

• a mask constructed of two layers of high-quality, heavyweight ‘quilter’s cotton,’
• a two-layer mask made with thick batik fabric, and 
• a double-layer mask with an inner layer of flannel and outer layer of cotton.”

A group of clinicians teamed up to create
the Olson mask using material based on effectiveness and ease of fabrication

Your best option, if you sew, is to make Olson masks. Ericka James has put together illustrated step-by-step instructions to make an Olson mask with optional filter pocket. Here are two other resources that may be helpful:.

• Olson mask pattern (pdf)
• Instructional video for sewing an Olson mask
• DIY Face Mask Filter with HEPA fabric