Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, citizens in countries around the world have become increasingly concerned with their personal safety. 

Ordinary places like grocery stores, playgrounds, and even apartment hallways have now become potential breeding grounds for the infamous disease-causing coronavirus. We now eye everyone with suspicion and take a wide berth when passing another pedestrian on the sidewalk, and stepping onto public transit is like taking your life in your hands.

One item that has dominated the conversation surrounding public safety is the use of protective face masks- should we, or should we not, be wearing them?

Read: This ‘Mom And Pop’ Business Has Been Flooded With Orders For Helmet Ventilators Due To Coronavirus

The Face Mask Debate

Whether or not we should all be donning these protective face-coverings has been a highly contentious issue throughout the country, and conflicting messages have left many of us feeling confused and anxious.

While many public authorities are telling us face masks are ineffective for the general public, others are arguing the contrary.

On February 29, the US Surgeon General Jerome Adams put out a Tweet urging the public to stop purchasing masks.

“They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk,” he said [1].

This message is seemingly contradictory, and has led many to ask the question: why do masks protect healthcare workers, but they won’t protect me? This confusion has caused a general lack of trust toward authorities, and some believe its the reason behind the rampant hoarding and price-gouging [2].

This also comes at a striking contrast to the images seen from Asian countries, in which every citizen can be seen wearing their own mask. Mask-wearing has been customary in many Asian cultures for years, primarily to prevent exposure to bad air. This practice, in fact, began before the germ theory of disease was even formed [3].

The reality is while wearing a mask does not offer one hundred percent protection against the virus, there is some evidence that suggests that in conjunction with proper handwashing and social distancing, wearing a mask can lower your risk of infection [4].

Read: Houston Hospital First in Nation to Deliver Crucial New Coronavirus Treatment

PPE Shortage in America

One thing experts can agree on, however, is that there is an alarming shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals across the country, and while wearing a mask may offer some protection to you, it is important that those who are at the highest risk for contracting the virus get them first [5].

Our frontline healthcare workers, who are caring for COVID-19 patients and are coming in direct contact with the virus on a daily basis, are at a much higher risk for contracting the virus themselves. At a time when our healthcare system is already being stretched to its maximum capacity, we cannot afford to lose any nurses, doctors, or any other hospital staff.

Related: Nurse dies in New York hospital where workers are reduced to using trash bags as protective medical gear

DIY Face Mask

For this reason, it is important that the general public does not take face masks for themselves when they are needed in our hospitals. This does not mean, however, that you have to go completely unprotected. 

It is possible to make your own disposable face mask at home. These masks, of course, will not be medical-grade, and surely do not replace an actual respirator, such as an N-95 mask, but they can offer some protection against large particles in the air, and at the very least prevent you from touching your face (something you still shouldn’t do even with a mask).

To make a DIY disposable face mask, all you need are scissors, thread, fabric, elastic bands, and a sewing machine. With one yard of fabric, you can make 25 to 35 masks, and it is a great way to use up scraps of fabric that you may have already in your home.

There are only three steps involved in the making of these masks, and they only take a few minutes from start to finish. Step-by-step instructions can be found HERE.

It is of utmost importance to remember, however, that any mask- whether it is homemade or medical grade- does not replace proper handwashing, isolation, and social distancing. It is crucial in the fight against this pandemic that we all listen to public health authorities and stay home to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.

Keep Reading: College Student Creates See-Through Mask For Deaf And Hearing Impaired

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.

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