The Facemask Delimma

First -- let me say I have become very disheartened about sewing facemasks. Mostly because my son, Ross, R.N., told me I was wasting my time. In his opinion -- no hospital would allow the use of home-sewn masks -- and the actual manufacturers of sterile disposable masks are gearing up bigtime to meet this increased demand. His argument went something like this, "they're not gonna pass up the opportunity to become millionaires, Mom..."

Also -- he warned me against the dangers of a lot of old people, walking around wearing facemasks for long periods of time.  "Your breath will trap warm air, and you'll get sick from the bacteria in your own body..."

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Hey -- I'M STILL MAKING THEM...don't get me wrong. Tweeking the facemask pattern has become one of my short-term life goals. (along with NOT getting sick, doing one mile a day on the treadmill, and not strangling my husband.)

I guess the thing is to exercise a little common sense about when and where a facemask might be necesssary.

My friend Joanne Ross, who has a Masters degree in Textiles (or maybe a PhD -- I lost track)...forwarded this information to me. She knows A LOT ABOUT fabric -- and this sounds like some good information for us to consider:

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FABRIC CHOICE FOR MASKS - SCIENCE

As you read this, take a few deep calming breaths, and find a location that is calm so you are able to follow and fully understand the content. During times of stress, such as these, it is more challenging to comprehend information for ALL humans.

What is the debate about fabric choices for masks actually discussing?

You quite possibly heard this statement on the news "simply wearing a mask can make you sick."

If you have, what are they saying exactly? Are they saying you'll get the Corona-Virus from wearing a mask? No. They are speaking vaguely, probably initially so everyone wouldn't go out and purchase all of the masks in America so we could get them to our healthcare professionals, that need them more than the rest of us.

What is really being stated is this. If you wear a mask, you can become sick because we have bacteria in our body secretions, such as sweat, saliva, and others.

Wearing a mask transfers oil from your skin onto the fabric and when you sweat it transfers onto the fabric and then you combine that with your body temperature it creates a nice cozy home for Bacteria. If you wear that mask for a long time without washing with bleach or disinfecting detergents, it will grow and multiply - and THIS can make you sick even though the bacteria originated from you and you were healthy before you started wearing the mask.

So, then -- How and When should you wear a mask?

Have several masks ready, and wash them. If you sweat or get too hot, change more often and you should never wear it all day long.

You should only wear a mask when needed.

1) If you are sick and within a small room with poor airflow, so if you cough, sneeze or talk, the virus (which becomes airborne) doesn't fly out of your mouth and land on those around you.

2) When you go out shopping and there are others walking in front of you that are sick with any virus. If they cough, the virus remains in the air and you walk through that air and the virus lands on you. IF it gets to your nose or mouth -- you become ill.


Which fabric is best for masks?
Synthetics. (manmade fiber content fabric) Such as polyester or nylon.

Why not cotton?
Cotton, silk, and wool are all-natural fibers, each was once alive and contains cellulose which is a form of sugar.

Why is that important?
Bacteria is a living organism that needs to eat to stay alive and cellulose is a food.

How about PUL or Baby Diaper Cover fabric?
No.
Why? Because it is coated with Polyurethane and will create condensation and with your body's heat, increase bacteria growth. It may also block air and not allow you to get enough Oxogyn.

What about Flannel?
Flannel, Minky, Velvet and any other fabric that has a hair-like surface will release small fibers into the air, which is why it's so messy to sew with as you cut it it breaks apart. When wearing it over your face, small fibers can enter the airway and end up in your lungs. Do not use it as a filter because it is NOT a filter and will increase your body temperature and cause you to sweat which will help feed bacteria.

What does a mask need to be a good mask?

1) Cool, lightweight fabric to reduce the chance of increased sweating.
2) Less Natural fiber, so bacteria have less to feed on. 50/50 Polyester to cotton or higher content of polyester to cotton.
3) An air filter (Stick and Tear) that is not too dense that it stops airflow but fine enough to block the viruses from entering between the spaces on the fibers as the fabric is woven and has gaps between the threads/fibers that are small openings for the viruses to get pulled into from a person inhaling as they breathe.
4) Machine washable in HOT water and able to withstand bleach.
5) A soft fabric so it doesn't cause abrasions on the skin and cause itching or a desire to move the mask while wearing it.
6) A tight seal, or form that doesn't have large gaps that act as open doors along the sides (cheeks), the top (nose) or bottom (chin) for any virus to be pulled into as the person breathes or inhales.

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Here's a random picture of me from LAST MARCH 24th...getting ready for my trip to New York City with my nieces Amy and Nicole...

ahh....little did we know, eh??