How To Make Cloth Face Masks Amid Minnesota Coroanvirus Outbreak

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged Americans to don cloth face masks amid the coronavirus outbreak. The masks won't prevent a person from contracting COVID-19, but could stymie the spread of the virus by infected persons.

Lower-risk Americans should wear homemade cloth masks instead of using needed medical supplies, like N95 respirators, the University of Minnesota noted.

“Everywhere there is a shortage of personal protective equipment. We’re trying to get ahead of it,” said Shannon Williamson, a University of Minnesota alum, who works with the cardiovascular group at Medtronic. Williamson released her own instructions for creating a homemade cloth mask.

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The CDC shared these instructions for a simple cloth mask, which can be made using materials commonly found in homes.

How to Make a Cloth Mask

The CDC shared tips on how to make a sewn-together cloth face cover.

• Cut two 10 inch by 6 inch rectangles from cotton fabric
• Try to use tightly woven cotton (ie quilting fabric)
• Stack the two rectangles — you're going to sew the mask as it were one piece of fabric
• Fold the long sides .25 inch and hem
• Fold the double layer of fabric over .5 inch along the short sides and then stitch down
• Run a 6 inch length of elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask
• These will be the ear loops you use to secure the mask around your face
• If you don't have elastic, try using a hair tie or elastic hair band
• Use a large needle or bobby pin to thread the elastic
• Tie the ends tight
• Pull the elastic so the knots tuck inside the hem
• Gather the mask around your face and make sure it snugly cover your nose and mouth
• Stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping

More instruction on how to make a cloth face mask can be found on the CDC's website.

How to Wear a Cloth Mask

According to the CDC, a cloth mask should:

• Fit tightly around one's face
• Be secured with loops around the ears, or ties on the back of the head
• Include multiple layers of fabric
• Allow for breathing (don't restrict your own breathing!)
• Be laundry washable

Also read:
State Of Minnesota Creates New Website To Track Coronavirus

Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Payments: What You Need To Do In MN