The USA is now looking seriously at the question.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/h...gtype=Homepage

So, anyway, whether they make it mandatory or not - any ideas on where one can get masks?

Finally.

People I know in CZ have been spending nights on sewing masks for those who cannot sew. CH is pretty good at sewing, I circulated different masks patterns around.

Taiwan is rationing masks for people, 3x a week for an adult and 5x for a child, each mask for 15 cents.

You can sew one by hand, it will take a wee bit longer than by machine.

https://youtu.be/zB68tnsXQ2w

This guy (it‘s behind a paywall, but you can browse for free) shows how you can make one from a t-Shirt, no sewing.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlo...l-coronavirus/

As Long as people wear them correctly, change or clean often, and keep their hands off their faces, maybe. Masks work in Asia because Asians are used to wearing them. In the West, it‘s going to depend on how people adapt....like everything else.

I agree with MusicChick... you can easily sew one yourself (that's what I've been doing). However, I realize that most people probably don't have a sewing machine. I have some extra fabric, etc. here so PM me if you'd like me to make one for you. Washable / re-usable with an inner pocket for a filter (e.g. paper towel apparently can work pretty well for a filter).

You can also still find some masks on ebay. And there are many offered on wish.com; however, anything purchased on wish.com will be shipped from China. There are many different types offered on there, though, and there is also now a feature that allows 5-day shipping. (I know this because I was trying to buy elastic on there the other day).

P.S. Oops. Sorry, I just realized / noticed that MusicChick's post was about sewing one by hand -- sans machine.

https://www.wish.com/search/face%20mask

That was posted a couple of days ago, and it's no more valid now than it was then.

https://www.englishforum.ch/daily-li...ml#post3165072

Just 10 days ago 20 minuten had an article, with a pharmacist claiming that «Das mit den Masken ist wie mit dem WC-Papier» and sounded terribly sure it's stupid to wear masks. «Die Leute, die jetzt mit Hygieneschutzmasken einkaufen gehen, sitzen einer Illusion auf. Mit Hygieneschutzmasken schützt man sich selber vor einer Ansteckung kaum. Sie haben einen furchtbar kleinen Nutzen.» ... Few days later another title «War das BAG bei den Masken nicht ehrlich?»

The real problem is, people jump from one authority to another, and get very confused, if there's one thing we have to learn from this virus, we have to change our ways of perceiving information, information and instructions from authority is NOT knowledge.

Your own experience is kind of an authority too, what worked for you in the past might not be working in the current circumstances. Keep an open mind and never stop gaining new knowledge and make new judgements.

Now a little rant: my boring little sewing hobby is not BS.

No, it isn't. Nor is ours! And hey, it is not boring, either.

Don't get frustrated.



https://alisonglass.com/wp-content/u...-pink-shop.jpg

What do you think would happen if the truth was told that yes, it flattens the curve, but no, there isn't enough of them. So. They will say that the masks help when we gain some herd immunity and/or there isn't a shortage of masks anymore. Shortly.

Just keep going. You are far from the only one

__________________
"L'homme ne peut pas remplacer son coeur avec sa tete, ni sa tete avec ses mains." J.H. Pestalozzi

“The only difference between a rut and a grave is a matter of depth.” S.P. Cadman

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." A. Einstein

Change the contents of the sewing machine graphic a bit and Bob's your uncle.

Attached Images

 

Thank you. And that's it, I informed my part, now I shut up and sew.

Pics

The thing about masks is that you need to use them properly. If you don‘t, then they are like the equivalent of carrying a cesspit on your face. Really, it‘s true.

Current Swiss guidelines for the general public are to not wear masks, neither the PPE nor operation masks if you are not infected nor caring for those that are.

only need one rectangular piece of fabric, origami style. Fabric from Kreando.

Inner pocket for inserting filter, nose bridge area I sew a line so you can insert wire to secure for tighter fit, left the sides open so you can take it out and exchange if you want, so it doesn't get rusted when you wash it.

You are the EF Queen of Masks!

Where's PCakes...look at this!

Masks makers, share your beauties. I will attempt to recycle jeans, see if anyone can actualy breathe through. The pants are stretchy, should fit tight.

Ha haa. I just saw it now. SUPER cute, Spaghetti!

I have a question for you guys... If / when you make a mask and it has something to be used in it as a "nose bridge wire," how do you do that? I had found that a strip of ~2cm wide elastic sewn along the top and bottom, across the top of the inside of the mask, seems to work okay (and then a paper clip or wire, etc. can be slipped inside of it). But I'm wondering if there's a better or easier way? That thick strip of elastic (for the nose bridge sleeve) seems to hold up well in the wash at least. But I'm curious how you guys have done yours?

I was just wondering where to get a wire, we are a bit of a chick household, don't know where I put any wire here, nor pliers or hammer, as a matter of fact

Paper clip, such a genious idea, Pancakes!

Are you also as passionate about issuing health and safety warnings about the proper use and effectiveness (or dangers) of these ‚Pininterest‘ masks? They are potential cesspits of viruses.

Looks like you know it well, go ahead - chip in

It wasn't my idea, though. I watched a video tutorial done by woman who was asked to make ~10,000 masks for a hospital, and she mentioned the paper clip in her video. But I actually did order 100 proper nosebridge wires (the kind that are actually used in normal medical masks) from wish.com last week. It's been shipped already but I'm not sure when they will arrive here. I can send you some when they come. xx