Hospitals and Stores are Sold Out of Masks: Speech Blubs Wants to Help!
In This Article
During this pandemic, Speech Blubs wants to do all we can to help spread the word about helping first responders and responsible citizens to get as much protection against the spread of the COVID-19 virus in these times of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Everyone in our office is working from home, and in the list below are some fun DIY projects that you can make with your kids.
First, What You Need to Know about DIY masks
These masks aren’t going to fully protect you from coronavirus. You should still be practicing social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others in public and frequently washing your hands for 20 seconds each time.
Market Watch
Don’t “get an artificial sense of protection,” Deborah Birx, a public health expert and a leader of the White House’s coronavirus response team, said Thursday. “Remember, your eyes are not in the mask, so if you’re touching things and then touching your eyes, you’re exposing yourself in the same way.
- A DIY mask, while not as effective as an N95 mask, still offers some protection from respiratory droplets that spread the virus.
- Fabric that is 100% cotton is comparable to surgical masks in effectiveness.
- If you can’t make your own mask, the New York City Police Department suggests covering your mouth and nose with a scarf or bandana.”The Center for Disease COntrol (CDC) in Atlanta says this about DIY face masks: “A simple, locally-made, washable mask may be a solution if commercial masks are not available. We describe the test results of one handmade, reusable, cotton mask.” Here is a reusable mask they suggest.
We thought it might be helpful to share links to DIY YouTube videos that show how to make masks. WARNING: Speech Blubs does not guarantee or endorse any of these designs.
A DIY mask still offers some protection from respiratory droplets that spread the virus.
As reported by Market Watch, Christian Schrock, an infectious-disease doctor in Minneapolis, points to a version that simulates a surgical mask and doesn’t require sewing skills or even staples or glue.
“All masks are not created equally,” Schrock tells Market Watch. “There are hundreds of DIY designs out there that do help somewhat to reduce the spread of the virus from the person who is not ill, but still highly contagious.”
However, he adds, “this mask, since it is comparable to some surgical masks, offers reasonable protection for the wearer of the mask. It’s not an N95 or better and is not 100% protective.”
More Easy to Do DIY Videos
- DIY: FACE MASKS For All Ages (Washable + Reusable!)
- DIY FACE MASK from old clothes in 2 ways – Washable & Reusable face mask – No sewing machine
- Easy No Sew DIY Face Mask Bandana And 2 Ponytail Holders
- A Doctor Explains How to Make the Safest Face Mask
- How to SEW a Medical FACE MASK // TUTORIAL
Don’t like these? There are MANY other videos, just choose your favorite face mask design and start DIY-ing!
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Videos If You Have a 3D Printer
There are also videos for people with 3D printers (again, do so at your own risk). Here’s just one example: $3 3D Printed DIY Emergency N95/Surgical Mask Substitute.
DIY Ventilators
Hospital leaders are also saying there is a severe shortage of ventilators, so Vanderbilt University came up with this DIY ventilator that is as a last-resort substitute (again use these at your own risk): Open Source ventilator design
Stay Safe, Stay Indoors!
In the meantime, STAYING INSIDE is still the best protection against catching the virus. Stay safe, and use Speech Blubs daily to keep your child occupied with smart screen time!
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