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www.thevillagenews.co.za
8 April 2020
Homemade masks get the green light I
Maintaining the mask: You must have at least two cloth masks per person so you will be able to wash one and have a clean one ready for use. • Wash the mask after use in soap and hot water, rinse thoroughly and, once dry, iron the mask – this is the best means of disinfection!
n an about-face on the issue of using face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Cape has become the first province to recommend the use of cloth masks for the general public. In a press release dated 2 April, the WC Department of Health stated that, in response to growing evidence, “the wider use of masks are indicated even for people who are not ill, especially if they move around in public”.
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The important thing to remember is that medical masks and N95 respirators are critically needed by our frontline health care workers, which is why all residents are urged not to obtain these and rather leave them for the doctors and medical staff working in hospitals and clinics to save lives. The press release also emphasises that wearing a homemade cloth mask does not make you invulnerable and should not be used in isolation, but in addition to the current public health strategies to flatten the curve i.e. staying at home; keeping a two-metre physical distance from others; washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your face; sanitising surfaces; wide-spread screening and testing, and intensive contact tracing of COVID-19 cases. A cloth mask is relatively easy and inexpensive to make and can, if used and cleaned appropriately, offer protection by: • Reducing the inhalation of droplets from others • Reducing exposure in overcrowded areas such as taxis, shops or government buildings • Creating awareness around COVID-19 A cloth mask can be used by both the community and non-healthcare workers in situations where there is no physical contact. This includes: • Travelling to and from work in public transport • Stepping outside the house to go shopping or seek healthcare • In self isolation when contact with others is necessary • Stopping and talking to members of the
Our photographer, Taylum Meyer, wearing one of the locally-made masks.
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public (for example, traffic police) Conducting interviews during houseto-house visits (for example, community workers) Cleaning the streets / disposing of domestic rubbish
How to properly use a cloth mask: The usage of any type of mask should be accompanied by strict adherence to the safety guidelines of the WC Department of Health:
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Wash your hands before applying the mask, with the correct side facing your nose and mouth. Tie the strings or elastic bands behind your head and make sure they fit securely. Make sure the mask covers both your nose and mouth and fits snugly. Never touch the cloth part of the mask. Once you have put on the mask, don’t touch your face again or fiddle with the mask until you take it off. Undo the ties and carefully fold the mask inside out, holding it by the strings/elastic and placing the mask in a container preserved for washing the cloth mask. Wash your hands thoroughly before doing anything else.
How to make a mask: • A cloth mask can be made in any non- industrial or domestic setup, and is relatively simple to make. There are many videos on YouTube demonstrating a step-by-step guide on how to make a cloth mask with varying designs. A cloth mask typically comprises square pieces of cloth with three pleats that can cover the face from above the nose to below the chin and almost up to the ears. Suitable materials: • The mask should have an inner and outer surface, each consisting of two layers. If possible, use cloth of two different patterns to distinguish between the inside and outside layers. • The outer layers should be made of a thickweave cotton such as denim, calico or upholstery fabric that can be easily washed. • The inner layers can be made of ordinary cotton typically used for linen. If possible, use a laminate breathable layer of non-woven fabric, which is washable at high temperatures, between the two inner cotton layers. (You could use something like a jacket lining.) • Do not use stretchy material with a loose weave such as light T-shirt material as this won’t offer any protection at all. Get your homemade mask on The Western Cape Government has called on members of the public, civil society organisations and the textile industry to produce cloth masks in line with these standards and specifications, to be used in compliance with its guidelines by the broader public. Several locals with sewing machines and the necessary skills are already hard at work to keep us all safe and healthy in this difficult time. So
if you are unable to make your own mask and would like to procure one, or more, for you and your loved ones, here are the details of the people you could order from and the shops that stock homemade cloth masks: Please just note that most of these ladies are working with materials they have at hand (the shops are closed, remember), so orders for specific colours or fabrics may not be an option. Angela: 083 969 0687 / 062 289 3387 / cuoredaycare@gmail.com. Angela supplies the Hermanus area. She uses various 100% cotton, poly-cotton and Shweshwe fabrics to make her masks, which have two layers (with an opening where you can insert a third layer/filter) and adjustable ties. Three-layer masks can be made on request. She also makes children-sized masks. Susan: 082 294 3412. Susan works in Sandbaai. She uses 100% cotton fabric to make her two-layer masks. You can buy them from Sandbaai Kafee (opposite Sandbaai Hall). Amanda: 082 870 6744. Amanda works in Onrus and uses 100% cotton and poly-cotton to make her two-layer masks. WhatsApp her to order. Vainquer Bags: The Vainquer Bags team supplies Hermanus, Sandbaai and Hawston. They use 100% cotton, Shweshwe and whatever suitable fabric they can source to make their two-layer masks. You can buy them from Sandbaai Superette, Sweetland Hermanus or from Billy Booysens (065 810 4516) in Hawston. For every mask the team sells, a percentage is donated to a charitable cause. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/vainquerbags/ for more information. Cynthia: Cynthia supplies the Hermanus area and uses 100% cotton with pre-washed and ironed Shweshwe to make her three-layer masks. There is also a pocket inside in case you want to add tissues. You can buy them at Green Ways Health Shop (Gateway Centre), Oasis Water, D'lish at CEM Motors (Voëlklip) and C Beyond Health Shop (Eastcliff Village Shopping Centre). - Taylum Meyer & Hedda Mittner
Safely dispose of coronavirus waste The Overstrand Municipality has appealed to residents to be responsible and to adhere to the guidelines before placing waste outside for removal on scheduled days. Remember that the Overstrand Municipality’s Solid Waste Removal personnel are exposed to more than 2 000 bins and bags per day, which is why residents are requested to refrain from providing food and drink to the workers. While the municipality appreciates the public’s good intentions, this only increases their exposure to unnecessary risks. Everyone will need to do their part in taking precautions and following good hygiene principles to keep our essential workers safe and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. These include the proper handling and storage of domestic waste generated by all residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as those who have been in contact with individuals that are confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
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All waste items (e.g. used tissues, disposable cleaning cloths, gloves, masks, etc.) must be disposed of securely within a black refuse plastic bag, separate from the rest of the household’s refuse. When full, the bag should then be placed in a second black refuse plastic bag (double bag) and tied to prevent any waste from spilling. Double-bagged refuse bags must be stored separately for five (5) days in direct sunlight
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before being placed outside for collection. The safest option would be to store bags for an additional week before domestic waste collection is done. This will ensure that the COVID-19 virus is killed. In the case of wheelie bin removal service, residents are reminded to have all personal hygiene and sanitary products double bagged (placed within two small plastic bags) before placing waste inside a bin. Examples of personal hygiene and sanitary products are tissues, used gloves /masks, etc. Residents are requested to please sanitise or wash hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling wheelie bins or black refuse plastic bags. This measure is to protect both the public and the essential refuse removal teams. Residents are requested to sanitise wheelie
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bin handles and wheelie bin covers. Refrain from approaching refuse removal personnel. Please keep a distance of 1.5m at all times. Secure the bags to ensure that pets do not have access to the bags and are prevented from tearing the bags or spilling the contents.
Refuse removal will continue as per normal collection schedule for Greater Hermanus and Gansbaai. All transfers stations and drop-off facilities will be closed during lockdown. In the Hangklip-Kleinmond area, refuse will be collected during the lockdown period on the following days: Kleinmond and Rooiels: Mondays Palmiet area and Sunny Seas, Betty's Bay: Tuesdays
Rest of Betty's Bay: Wednesdays Pringle Bay: Thursdays Each household is allowed to place one wheelie bin or four black bags (with the proviso that only one bag may contain garden waste) with domestic refuse on the sidewalk for removal in areas which the municipality has not identified as a problem animal area. Containers must be secured with baboon-proof locking devices in all areas that the municipality has identified as problem animal areas: Kleinmond, Betty’s Bay, Rooiels, Pringle Bay, Onrus, Voëlklip, Fernkloof (including the Golf Estate), Hermanus Heights, Eastcliff and Kwaaiwater. No refuse bags may be left on pavements in baboon problem areas. Voëlklip Baboon Hotline: 071 588 6540 Pringle Bay Baboon Hotline: 079 431 5956
