I felt so bad, there was an older couple there at the store using a wide ace bandage as masks...and it wasn't even tight against their faces, just hanging over their noses. If I would have thought quick enough, I would have went to see if there were any bandanas left and bought them for them.

We haven't been out since the recommendation became 'wear one'. I have 20 disposable here (10 of those are N95, old from DH's OSHA first aid box but still sealed), and yesterday my SIL dropped off two flawlessly made washable....she's been busy sewing (and sharing) so I shouldn't need to make any. My own sister reported from Seattle she can't find elastic and all of hers from her more active sewing days very old. Dead is the word she used. ;0) I found 12 yards 1/4" on Ebay and have that on its way to her. It was even listed at a fair price.

I just made my first trip out for perishables after isolating 3 weeks to pick up a curbside order. I put on my homemade mask, my googles, and carried my spray alcohol. A young Walmart employee brings out my order wearing no mask. I ask him why he isn't wearing a mask. He says they're not required, Walmart won't provide them and he can't afford one. Wearing mine I felt mostly protected but still, I kinda feel like it will be another couple weeks isolation before I feel completely out of the woods again.

Even for the few minutes I wore my mask, it was hot and I wished it fit tighter around my chin. Next time I'll just go in. Probably Publix, I prefer Walmart but I can be in and out quicker at Publix.

I had my first outing wearing a mask, just walking the dog in the neighborhood. Not sure it's necessary under those circumstances as I avoid human contact like the plague. (ha ha) The homemade mask made me too hot. I'll have to try to modify it.

Even dead elastic with no stretch can be used for ties.

I went to,pick up a take out order yesterday. No one anywhere was wearing a mask. The restaurant was doing a pretty good job by offering sterilized pens , propping the door open and asking people to wait outside for orders not yet ready., but the customers weren’t wearing masks. I had a scarf wrapped around my face.

I started sew yesterday. I cut out and pinned together a stack this morning. Thanks for saying that about the elderly couple. I shall take some with me to hand out when I finally can go to the store on Wednesday. Remember, I came home a week ago Tuesday. Wednesday is the end our quarantine.

Moni

I haven't started wearing a mask...yet. The last I got groceries was 3 weeks ago. At that time hardly anyone was 'wearing'. Since that time I've walked my dog daily, worked on projects in the yard, and visited and been visited by, someone I met when I moved here in late Dec., all sans mask. When walking I sometimes meet others and we each give the other wide birth, working in the yard I work alone, and as far as my friend, well as far as we know we're both OK. I allow no one in my house, and when son and DIL come by they stay outside. I haven't been to their house in weeks. Outside that, I'm in quarantine. Yesterday my DIL came by with a care package which included hospital grade protection and ordered me to wear it if I went grocery shopping. I told her I would but she knows I don't plan on doing anything more than what I stated above. My son and DIL take VERY good care of me LOL.

People are really being helpful with making masks. A local woman here posted an order form on Nextdoor to make them at no charge. She was bombarded with orders and still taking them. Our dry cleaner also posted a message saying they are making them if you donate the fabric.

I read you can pull elastic from bungee cords if need be.

I also saw a video on FB a nurse made - if you can blow out a lighter thru the mask, it's not thick enough. She had a regular (not N95) she put on and blew thru - the fire flickered a little but she couldn't blow it out. She put on a homemade fabric one and blew the fire out easily. So then she put 2 small folded up paper towels inside the mask (it had a pocket) and couldn't even get the flame to flicker.

Share, I've wondered about tucking in paper towels...or maybe coffee filters?

You could experiment and see if the coffee filters work too. The paper towels were good because she folded them in the rectangle shape she needed.

I plan on making one using a piece of a vacuum cleaner bag but I wore one today that I made using a dryer sheet. A friend made one using coffee filters and left the top open so when washed she could replace them. I never thought of using paper towels!.

Yes, the rectangle makes sense!

I posted this on another thread. I saw where someone local was substituting thin elastic headbands for elastic. Here is a LINK to some at Dollar Tree, but they aren't shipping.

Blue shop towelsLINK are supposed to make a better filter than some other fabrics.

I have three N95 masks leftover from doing my own pest control last spring. We'll see how far that gets us before I attempt to make any masks.

Handi wipes! For the easy no sew mask they work great and can be washed. Fold it in half and then accordion fold it pinch the ends and staple slide a large rubber band on the stapled end and fold it over the rubber band and staple the end to the mask. Do it on both end and you have a good mask.

I'm posting this because it's the easiest. I used rubberbands. I probably got it from this forum, I don't remember. I used a cloth napkin. I made an extra one to take with me in case I had to remove the first one. Once I touched it to remove it it would not be as sterile so I would use the extra one if needed. I haven't tried to blow out a match through it.

https://blog.japanesecreations.com/no-sew-face-mask-with-handkerchief-and-hair-tie?fbclid=IwAR2LzHX6n4M70yeTqoL754Xl8zVWEswFJbdCmXnIyIDe4wHVOawOlVngqPw

bleusblue2, that's the same video someone sent me. Very easy, for sure. I had some trouble with the hair ties not staying behind my ears. They might be just too new and tight. Rubber bands worked better for me.

Also, this one from the Surgeon General shows pretty much the same thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI1GxNjAjlw

My dd is a nurse in KC and asked for some headbands with buttons on them. I went to Walmart today and bought her a 5 pack of headbands, measured them on my head and I'm going to sew on buttons. The elastic is irritating her ears since they have to wear the masks all the time. Now the elastic will go around the button.

Homemade masks protects other people from you. Your mask protects me and my mask protects you.

Function ... you mean that I'm a big "drip" ... but when my neighbour drops by ... s/he's just a little foggy ... for my screener to let it go through?

o j

Per Dr Rachel Levine, PA secretary of health "Masks function as an effective mitigation measure, the guidance explains, because they help to “limit the spread of infectious droplets in the air.” A mask does not protect the wearer; it protects those around the wearer: “my mask protects you, and your mask protects me.” "

Dr Levine rocks!

Think about this. If the masks mitigate you spreading the virus..then it is protecting us all as it is cutting down how much virus is being spewed into the air! Wear your masks people. What would it hurt!!? And if it only helps/protects one other person--be proud!!

I used a t-shirt to mine. I don't go out much anyway but it helps. I also wear my winter gloves but spray them with Lysol when I get home.

SamKaren Your resident dj

Just yesterday, on the local township fcaebook page, someone was freaking out because she saw walkers, joggers and bikers outside WITHOUT masks! The 50++ comments are roughly 75% "you are overreacting" and 25% shocked that anyone would be outside without a mask. Really, people, use some common sense.

L.O.L.!!!!!

I made some masks today for DH and I. the first one took about 1 hour but the others about ½ an hour. They came out well but when I tried one on, I felt panicky, like I was smothering. It is made with two layers of a densely woven cotton sheeting, just as the direction called for. I have always had issues with anything covering my face and can't wear turtlenecks, etc. I get this panic feeling that I am smothering. I hope I never have to wear one in public. I would have to do measured breathing to control this.

Elizabeth, I heard an ER doctor talk about people that feel the same way. He mentioned wearing the mask at home for short periods to possibly help with the uneasiness. He actually said everyone should do the same thing just to get used to the masks. For one thing, some people have mentioned touching their faces even more when out in public trying to adjust the mask.

Thank you Cloebud. I'll try that. Nice to know I am not the only one this happens to.

I just commented in the other thread how difficult I find these mouth coverings too, Elizabeth. I absolutely dread having to wear it. Do you also have some claustrophobia? When sleeping, I have to make sure sheet and blankets well below my mouth and nose!

I organized a closet the other day and found three N95 masks from a couple of years ago when the public health department was distributing them to the public during a wildfire. The intent at the time was to protect people's lungs from the particulate matter in the smoke produced by the the fire. When I go grocery shopping today, I'll take one of them with me.

I don't know that I am claustrophobic but I do need air. Lots of air. Windows open, covers at shoulder height, no turtlenecks and clothing open at the neck and I love the wind. I can't stand hot stuffy rooms and air that does not move. The mask is a nightmare. I didn't know it would feel so hot and humid inside it. Freaks me out.

I ordered some paper masks from on eBay. Figured it was worth a try. I got an email that they had been shipped and would arrive on Tuesday. Lucky me but the. I got an email saying the order was canceled. Guess I’ll be joining the home made mask fashion show. Actually I have one paper mask and a bunch of old painters masks. I have to replace the elastic on the painters masks. Also my glasses fog up when I wear them. Guess I’ll,just stay home like I’m supposed to.

To those of you who contemplate using coffee filters inside a cloth mask - the mask is supposed to filter out droplets (moisture). The coffee filters are designed to let moisture through, otherwise we would have no coffee.

I moved out of retirement 5 bandanas, folded them as was shown on TV and shoved the ends into each other so that they would not slide. Result 16 layers of cloth and pretty impossible to blow out a candle.

Advantage of these, they can be washed, thrown in the dryer and ironed on hot. I have to be extra careful because I have to get my husband to his cancer clinic for chemo and radiation 5 times a week and his immunity is totally shot.

anneliese I wish you both well. I'm solo. I feel for those of you who have to consider the immunity of your partner, child or parent. I pray. And when I do QiGong there is a move that means "take the whole world in your arms" and I do. That's all I can do from here for now.

Here’s a tip to find elastics. Cut open a bungee cord. They are filled with elastic bands.

Elizabeth, I think I'm your twin. :). I drive my dh crazy because he's the opposite and doesn't like any air blowing on him. He even wraps a sheet around the back and sides of his head when he sleeps. Horrible.

Wrapping a sheet around his head? I am short of breath just reading that.