By the time theCDCtold all Americans to start wearing face coverings to slow down the outspread ofcoronavirusin early April , protectivemaskswere already hard to find . The aesculapian - tier masks that are available should be earmark for healthcare workers , which leaves everyone else with modified choice for fall out the updated refuge road map . Luckily , get to your own mask at home is fast , ethical , and cheap — and you do n’t even need to check out the sewing auto to do it .
Thisvideo , mail onJulie Eigenmann ’s Instagram , illustrates how to make a no - sew face mask using supplies you likely already have at menage . Start by folding a square scarf joint or bandana four prison term lengthwise to produce a strip show that ’s big enough to cover the bottom one-half of your face . Next , attract each ending of the textile through an pliant hair tie or rubber banding ( one on the correct terminal and one of the left wing ) so that it ’s roughly divided into thirds . fold up the ends into the pith and rapier one end into the opening night of the other to hold it all together . Pull the whisker association over your auricle to ensure the masquerade to your font .
To supercharge your mask’sfiltration power , place a trim back coffee filter orpaper towelon the textile where your backtalk will go before folding it .

After wearing the masquerade outdoors , you ’ll ask to disinfect it . Take it aside , throw aside the disposable filter , and imbue the fabric in soapy water for a few minutes . When the material is clean and dry , add a new filter and reassemble the mask as shown above to employ it again .
DIY textile masks are ripe than nothing when it comes to protecting your face from someone coughing or sneezing nearby . But no mask will make you unvanquishable to COVID-19 , and you should n’t use one as an excuse to act any differently outdoors . Use them on necessary trips outside , like to the grocery store or your essential job , and continue keep back a safe distance from others .