Wrong science and 3D masks

I've notice a constant downplaying of the crisis in the reported information coming in all directions, and Chris Martenson says that he has too.  He debunks the Oxford report which indicates that most people in the UK have already had Covid-19 and you need to watch his video if you don't already follow him.

Meanwhile, although millions of gloves and face masks etc have been sent out to the people in the frontline, those stocks are not going to last long.  And in any case, the countries who have done the best have not only had a policy of aggressive testing, but have also got the whole population wearing masks.  It's the only way to beat this thing.  Although, clearly, the UK government think they know better.

The media are catching up in the US with the fact that help is needed from the community to try to provide the protective equipment that nurses and doctors need.

I'm as angry as the next person that they have not commissioned tests from those who had the components ready and waiting, and now have commissioned a huge order of ventilators from Dyson, who have never made ventilators before.  And that the government didn't get the memo about the EU ordering for ventilators.

However, concentrating on what can WE do, rather than their shortcomings, there is now an additional role for all those people who have a 3d printer at home.  It is possible for us to print out the bands for face visors, and complete them using the plastic from plastic bottles.  The idea is already rolling out in the US and I see no reason why it shouldn't here.

Do-it-yourself masks for NHS workers and your family

In the US there is a concerted effort to make masks for health workers, social workers and other people who are at risk and don't have access to proper surgical masks.

There isn't a similar campaign in the UK - yet.  But if Italy, which was rated the number 2 best health service in the world could have run out of protective face masks for staff, it is very possible for it to happen here.  Already there are stories that ambulance staff are only allowed four masks for a day, and that they are rationing one mask between two paramedics in some places, with the person dealing with a patient having the mask and the other paramedic having to keep six feet away from someone thought to be suffering from coronavirus.

Let's be clear: these home-made masks are not as good as surgical masks.  The research shown on this page indicates that the sorts of material which allow for a breathable end result are about 60% effective, and surgical masks about 97% effective at blocking the virus.  But they are considerably better than nothing at all, and can be washed and changed to increase their effectiveness.

This page contains information including research about the best materials for making masks, which turn out to be 100% cotton pillowcases or cotton tshirts, for breathability and protection factors to be balance.  It is important to make the outer layer and inner layer a different colour and so someone can see immediately which is which.

This page includes a printable pattern for facemasks, with instructions for making them.  They are rectangular masks, with folds.  There are other designs which look more effective in terms of covering the nose and face, but they are made with different segments of fabric and I think (although I have no evidence) that these may be more porous and therefore less effective.  There is no good research with this design, which makes it difficult to know.

If you have any links to research, to patterns or have suggestions and guidance for less accomplished sewers, please comment or send me an email.  There are now a considerable number of groups on Facebook who are separated physically but banding together to make these for the hospitals and clinics in their area.  You may find information and support from them.  One example is Sewing masks for Atlanta hospitals (Covid-19).