I wonder if a microfiber cloth will work well to make a mask.

[Eko]

It would be a very fine one like this.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Dunlop/Microfiber-Guitar-Finish-Cloth-1274228082403.gc?rNtt=microfiber%20cloth&index=3
Anyone have any ideas?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Lots of good info about the best fabrics here:

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

The cloth has to be fine enough to filter out at least some of the viruses but you also have to be able to breathe through it.

[Eko]

3. Thanks,

doesn't say anything about microfiber cloths.

[GulfCoast66]

7. It's not the virus it needs to filter but the droplets that carry it.

Corona viruses are too big to ‘float’ around in the air on their own like measles. Or at least that is what I have been reading. And who knows, maybe in the right circumstances it can become airborne.

Even a tightly woven cotton will help.

It been 35 years since I studied it but if memory serves only a fill on respirator and filter out airborne viruses. I’m sure if wrong I will quickly be corrected

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. I believe that's correct. But even if the fabric is fine enough to filter the droplets,

the masks also have to fit tightly enough that the droplets (which are basically invisible and not big drops of spit) can't get to your face around the edges.

[GulfCoast66]

11. Correct. I was taught poorly fitted masks were the biggest risk.

And since people are having to wear the same mask all day long the danger to medical personnel is very high.

[leighbythesea2]

2. Just had long convo w nurse

My best friend. She said breathability is very important.

Heres the link she sent me. Read to the end. I got excited about the filtration at beginning but thats not the only factor.

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

Im going to make some. !

[Squinch]

24. Isn't it interesting that they told us masks do no good, and now we are learning that they

do quite a lot of good?

[leighbythesea2]

25. Yes

The protocol keeps changing.
She said their protocols are shifting by day and hour.

[jberryhill]

4. Why reinvent the wheel?

https://safishing.com/product-category/face-shield/

[Eko]

6. Because

I have quite a few of those cloths and have access to at least thousands.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. That's reassuring. I definitely would want my doctor to wear that one.

[StTimofEdenRoc]

5. teddy bear skin and crushed fish tank charcoal filter (but I read that on the internet sooooo)

don't cut up your stuffed friend just yet.

[RockRaven]

10. I have no ideas. But I have some input. I hope you don't think I'm just pissing on your idea.

I have worked in health care settings where droplet precautions were required. We engage in a "mask fitting" session administered by a person trained in such procedures. They have you try the various size N95 masks (yes, they come in sizes) from a number of different manufacturers (yes ideally hospitals/clinics have more than one supplier), subjecting you to an airborne substance which you would be able to taste if the mask was leaking. Once you find which manufacturer/size worked, you are to use that one and no other (ideally, obviously nowadays people are in desperate straits). The reason for that test is that the masks *often fail from leaking around the edge*, not from through the surface. That is also why facial hair can be a problem for masks fitting safely.

Long answer short: I'm not sure you can make a mask from this material which seals well to your face, and that it besides the question of the material being effective at stopping things through its surface.

Having said that... even if it only stops someone from spitting macroscopic saliva and mucous globules into your nose and mouth, it is probably better than nothing. How much better I don't know.

[Eko]

12. Great info!

Thanks Rock. These are highly absorbent and can even stop some bacteria. I think doubling them up while adding a air layer in between the layers would work really well. Not as good as a N95 but still pretty good. Feel free to give me your thoughts.
Eko.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. Maybe you could tape the edges of the mask to your face with something like

surgical adhesive tape? Or would that just mess up your face?

[Eko]

14. Or Gaffe tape.

At this point you should realize I am a musician lol.
Adam

[Squinch]

22. This is good information for medical people whose exposure is huge and constant, but I would think

that people just using the mask for going to the grocery store can (and no doubt will HAVE to) fudge a bit on the fit.

[SWBTATTReg]

26. Just curious ... I understand the masks and such, and the concern about the droplets getting...

Last edited Sun Mar 22, 2020, 01:20 PM - Edit history (1)

though, but why not use a double mask, e.g., like the normal one that you have that fits snuggly over the mouth/nose, and then a cloth in front of it, to block droplets (w/ your mask behind it, a 2 tiered mask)?

Take it back, there are apparently such masks, a 2-tiered mask, one in front, to stop big droplets, the 2nd one immediately behind it, spaced a little further back, immediately flushed against the mouth and nose, that has the filtered part of the mask, or the regular mask we all know.

[CountAllVotes]

15. 100 Million Mask Challenge

The global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has created a severe shortage of PPE across the world. While regular distribution channels ramp up, you can help by making a financial donation to support our COVID-19 response, including obtaining and producing protective gear for our caregivers.

Western Washington is the hardest hit region of the country. For those in the Seattle area with a willing heart, the ability to sew and a sewing machine, we have an opportunity to help make masks now. We created kits that will include all the materials you need to make 100 masks. This kit includes medical-grade material that has been lab tested. This material is not available for purchase commercially, which is why we are supplying it to our volunteers.

Thanks to an overwhelming response from our community, all kits we are producing have been claimed!

We’ve received many questions from people wanting to make a mask for themselves or their loved ones. Please note this effort is focused on medical-grade masks for health care professionals on the front lines of COVID-19.

Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more information.

https://www.providence.org/lp/100m-masks

They are asking for people to make masks if they have a sewing machine and know how to sew. There is a video at this link, etc.

Check-it out and see if it helps.

I may fire up my old Singer in the other room and give it a shot myself!

Best of luck.

[jmbar2]

19. Check out MakeMasks.slack.com

It's an ever growing group of folks seeking to match mask makers, designs, and recipients. Here is an aggregate list of face mask designs that have been gathered there.

https://app.slack.com/client/T010DLZTE00/C010DMXRXGV/thread/C0103L4HZPC-1584760907.017700

[Generic Brad]

16. They make better masks than loin cloths

Not all my ideas are good.

[Eko]

17. I would agree.

[lunatica]

18. Microfiber absorbs a lot of water very, very fast

I would think it would be really good.

I’ve been wondering the same thing.

[Eko]

20. Yup,

2 layers with a layer of air in between should be pretty good.

[burrowowl]

21. Kick

[Squinch]

23. Here's my plan: take a large scarf. Fold it in a triangle. Pin a piece of yellow legal paper on

the inside of the triangle. Tie it to your face so the yellow paper covers your nose and mouth, the sides of your face, and hangs down to the bottom of your chin.

As Rock Raven pointed out upthread, this is definitely NOT medical grade. Particles can hit you from the open bottom. But it is better than nothing. It's hot but you can breathe well enough to run an errand, and the paper takes away the guess work of whether the weave is tight enough.

Paper can be thrown away and the scarf can be washed in soapy water.