Making masks

[CarolfromTX]

Making masks is both the simplest and yet most stressful project ever. I have a sewing machine, and some rudimentary sewing skills, and elastic and material. Today I made masks for a family I know in NYC. She is a PhD biochemist, working for Sloan Kettering, and if she thinks wearing a mask is a good idea, I'm on board. So I made four masks, two of which are child sized. I cannot tell you how it pained me to make those child size masks. I just kept thinking, "this isn't right. Kids should not have to go through this." But I kept on sewing.

I also have a bone to pick with sites that say masks only take ten minutes. Well, maybe if you have all the materials cut out first, and if you don't have to pin anything (which I do), and you don't have to set up your iron, or haul out your sewing machine, then maybe. Kinda like those recipes that claim prep time is ten minutes, when I know it takes longer than that just to measure out ingredients. Liars!

So I talked to her yesterday and her description of what was going on was frightening and terrible. Not wanting to get in the elevator because of not knowing who was in there last. The ambulances. The sirens. The empty streets.

On a good note, I had a great many birthday wishes yesterday, and had a mostly upbeat day.

Stay healthy!

 

[Bob1950]

My wife has made several masks with paper filters inside, and we wear them in all public places. I hope they work.

 

[johndoe]

I made a mask from a hand towel and a piece of elastic. It took only a few minutes. No skill involved because I certainly don't have any. A towel has tufts on both sides so if a virus tries to get past, it will have a circuitous path and hopefully get trapped.