Face Masks for Veterans

 Last March, 2020, I had made many face masks- both for Veterans and for civilians.  I have designed a few different types. This month, I designed a five-layer face mask, because many people were wearing two layers, and I myself don't like to wear two masks, if I can wear one that has enough layers.

Most of my face masks are two layers of tightly woven cotton. My five-layer masks are that, with an inner, enclosed lining of the surgical mask fabric, which gives a total of five layers.  Because the surgical mask fabric is entirely enclosed, it never gets contaminated.  

White researching this, I found a set of three links regarding the study of how well fabrics block contaminants, including fabrics that people had to rely on last spring.

These links are:

-Scientific Comparison of COVID-19 Face Mask Materials: T-shirts, Socks, Jeans, Vacuum Bags, N95
-Respiratory Protection Engineering Task Force
-Ability of fabric face mask materials to filter ultrafine particles at coughing velocity

 

I recommend reading each of those aspects of the studies if you are making your own masks.  Below is a photo of two five-layer masks - I have made these for and Air Force Veteran and his wife, and a Navy Vet and his wife (so far, I just started these a few days ago).

Face Masks For Veterans

Face Masks For Veterans


I have been making face masks - for Veterans, as well as Elder Services and the Yarmouth Senior Center, two outreach programs for Veterans as well.

Today, 18 masks are going to:

Cape Cod Vet Center
474 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601

1-508-778-0214

They will hand them out to any Veterans that need them.
Update- another 15 masks are being mailed to the Cape Cod Vet Center 5-1-20

Another 18 are going to the other agencies today, to be handed out in the community. I had wanted to pay back to the Senior Center and Elder Services, for the services they are keeping available during the pandemic.  I have also given out another 28 to friends or relatives. A beginning!

I designed my pleated face mask pattern using a "procedure mask" as a model about two weeks before the CDC came out with their recommended mask pattern. I modified their mask a bit, for ease of sewing and wearing.

CDC Face Mask Pattern  at the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

My Pleated Face Mask Pattern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jgy_rMMfgQ&feature=youtu.be

MY Video: Disinfecting The Masks You Sew:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHZlW5WoYXs&feature=youtu.be

My Side-Gathered Face Mask Pattern:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC1Bl9TINvU&feature=youtu.be

My Video : Criticism of the CDC Face Mask Pattern : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUqicb8PXZM&feature=youtu.be

I did also write patterns for a knitted mask for re-usable liners, and a mask for a Service Dog,  which I use for artwork, and my dog respectively, and you can also find those on my YouTube channel.

Don't forget to wash your hands!