After Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on Sunday 3 May, the government published a 60-page document called Our Plan to Rebuild. In the government document, it says people should "wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet, for example on public transport or in some shops."
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During a segment on This Morning, TV star Alice Beer showed Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield how to make a face "covering." Alice stressed that a face covering is not the same as a face mask as those are used as part of personal protective equipment by healthcare and other workers.
Alice Beer showing how to create a no-sew face covering
Celebrities have been taking to social media to teach their followers about how to make a DIY face mask. Actress Kate Hudson recently took to her Instagram account to show her 11.8m followers how to transform a scarf into a face mask.
Will a face mask stop me from catching coronavirus?
Wearing a face covering isn't a guarantee that you won’t get sick and people aren't to feel invincible and start venturing out to see friends. Having said that, masks are effective at capturing droplets, which is a main transmission route of coronavirus.
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What's the best material for a DIY mask?
Scientists say a simple light test can help you choose which of your options is the best mask material. "Hold it up to a bright light," Dr Scott Segal told The New York Times. "If light passes really easily through the fibres and you can almost see the fibres, it’s not a good fabric. If it’s a denser weave of thicker material and light doesn’t pass through it as much, that’s the material you want to use."
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Is there a face mask pattern to use?
When you're searching for patterns, look for one that goes above the nose and under the chin for maximum coverage. It should ideally fit snugly around your face.
For an IGTV video, cool-girl fashion brand Ganni launched a how-to tutorial on how to make a fashion mask with a sewing machine.
What's the best way to wear a face mask?
Nurse Deb (aka @theprivatenurse on Instagram) launched a video about how to wear a face mask, and how you shouldn't wear a face mask. In the caption, she writes: "Wash hands, check mask for damages, identify which side front and back, adjust nose using your index finger and thumb, make sure mask is covering both your nose and mask." The video shows how people shouldn't keep touching the mask when they're wearing it.
Nurse Deb demonstrating the dos and don't of mask wearing
Should vulnerable people wear masks?
"There is enough evidence to endorse the use of face masks for short periods of time by vulnerable individuals when in transient higher risk situations – such as on public transport or visiting shops," said lead researcher Dr Julii Brainard, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School.
"Although we can support vulnerable people who choose to wear masks to avoid infection, we want to remind everyone that the people who most need to wear masks, to protect us all, are healthcare workers."
To conclude:
The covering should cover your nose and mouth and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana. You should avoid touching the front of the covering and store used coverings in a plastic bag until you have a chance to wash them. You should wash the covering regularly with normal detergent. Ultimately, mask or no mask, stay home, wash your hands, don't touch your face, and avoid contact with sick people.
Where can I shop a DIY face mask making kit?
Face mask sewing kit, £12.99, MyFabrics
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Face Mask Making Kit for 2 Masks, £8.99, Etsy
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