MD Coronavirus: 4 Ways To Make Face Masks

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Face masks or coverings are required of anyone shopping in Maryland grocery stores or pharmacies, or using mass transit, as of April 18. Patch has found three four ways to make one, complete with illustrations. Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered everyone venturing out to shop or work at essential businesses to wear a mask to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

His order also requires all retail locations to require staff to wear face coverings and requires those businesses to put appropriate social distancing measures in place.

Face coverings are defined as items that obscure a person's nose and mouth, including scarves and bandanas. Those who are younger than 9 years old will not be required to wear them in retail environments, although those older than 2 are encouraged to wear them.

1. Bandanna/Shirt Face Covering (No-Sew Method) from the CDC

Materials Needed:

• Bandanna (or square cotton cloth about 20 by 20 inches)
• Coffee filter (optional)
• Rubber bands or hair ties
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut the bottom off the folded coffee filter. Keep the top.
2. Fold your bandanna or shirt in half lengthwise.
3. Fold the cut filter in the center of the folded bandanna/T-shirt. Then fold the bandanna top down and bottom up.
4. Place rubber bands or hair ties around the bandanna or shirt about 6 inches apart.
5. Fold the side of bandanna or shirt to the middle and tuck.
6. Your face mask should be ready to wear.

A step-by-step tutorial of this method with accompanying images is available on the CDC website.

2. Sewn Cloth Face Covering

Materials

• Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
• Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
• Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Tutorial

1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.

2. Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.

3. Quick Cut T-shirt Face Covering (no sew method)

Materials

• T-shirt
• Scissors

Steps:

Cut 7 to 8 inches off the bottom of a T-shirt

Cut a rectangle section out of that material, using the longest portion of fabric as strings.

Tie strings around your neck and over the top of your head.

4. Sewn Cloth Face Covering From The CDC

Material Needed:

• Two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric
• Two 6-inch pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips or hair ties)
• Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Steps:

1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Stack the two rectangles and sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.
2. Fold over the long sides a quarter-inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over a half-inch along the short sides and stitch down.
3. Run a 6-inch length of one-eighth-inch-wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tightly.
4. Lightly pull on the elastic so the knots are inside the hem. Gather the side of the mask on the elastic to adjust so the fabric fits your face.

While the governor said he had heard from some that this was an infringement on their rights, Hogan said: "Spreading this disease infringes on your neighbors' rights."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued instructions for how to make cloth face coverings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that you routinely wash your face masks depending on the frequency of use. A washing machine should do the job to properly clean the fabric, and people should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth when removing a face covering.

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