HEALTH & BEAUTY
Making a Facemask at Home
The Portuguese Directorate-General for Health (DGS) has recommended the use of “social” facemasks in certain circumstances. We look at an example of how to make these at home. The DGS recommends that non-surgical or “social” facemasks are used in closed indoor spaces with a high number of people. Examples being supermarkets, pharmacies, shops, commercial establishments and public transport. The DGS emphasises that these are an additional and supplementary measure to social distancing and hand washing.
BY PHIL EGGINTON
There are three types of masks: FFP respirators for health professionals, surgical masks that prevent the spread of infections and these non-surgical social facemasks. According to the DGS, surgical masks should be worn by people with symptoms of COVID-19 and by the most vulnerable, as well as other professionals from more exposed groups such as firefighters, police and funeral service workers. So how do you make a social facemask at home? During my time at home, my wife has started doing several things that she always wanted to do. I saw her one day sewing and I know in the past she made lots of clothes. “Are you taking up making clothes again?”
I said. “Nope, I’m making some facemasks for us!” I should say at this point that my wife was an intensive care senior nurse. So, I knew she had some relevant experience. “I hope you’re making them in the best Blue Peter fashion, from a pair of old knickers!”, I joked. “Well actually, I’m using some old t-shirts, but yes, you could use some old cotton knickers!” she replied. In addition to cotton, which needs to be pure or 100% cotton, you will need some pipe cleaners (not essential) and some elastic or even just ribbon. They are actually very simple to make, using hand-sewing, not even a machine. Here are some simple instructions. Phil Egginton is a journalist and photographer and now lives in the Algarve. + INFO: www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/covid-19-dgsendorses-wearing-of-masks-by-all-people-in-closedspaces www.covid19.min-saude.pt/
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Fold the material in half and position the templates along the folded edge. Pin in place.
Cut your t-shirt into two pieces. Cut off all the seams, inc. sleeves. Then iron to remove creases.
2 Cut out templates in card, measuring 180mm x 150mm. If using a large t-shirt, you will be able to get 3 masks out of the material, the smaller the piece of material, the fewer masks.
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4 Cut each mask ensuring you do NOT cut along the fold. Depending on the size of material you should end up with up to 3 pieces.
