Time to Make a Face Mask: New York Times

Advice on face masks has evolved throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. East Asians have long worn such masks, protecting against flu viruses since 1918 and then SARS in 2003. But US health experts suggested the masks were unnecessary. “The world is running out of face masks for health care workers, which is one reason American officials, including the surgeon general, have warned members of the public against buying their own masks,” explains Farhad Manjoo, for the New York Times. “Contrary to what American officials told us, many studies show that widespread mask-wearing might be a very effective complement to hand-washing, social-distancing and other measures to mitigate the pandemic.” Health officials in East Asia maintain that masks worn by people with symptoms can contain the spread, especially in small, crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. Sewing groups and survivalists share online patterns for masks easily made with household materials. Manjoo concludes, “At least two peer-reviewed studies show that while DIY masks are not nearly as effective as commercial masks made for health care workers, they are far better than nothing.” The New York Times has removed the pay wall for its coronavirus coverage as a public service. – YaleGlobal

Time to Make a Face Mask: New York Times

Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore led in distributing masks to protect citizens; supply shortages and demand by health providers force many to make their own
Farhad Manjoo
Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Read the article from the New York Times about how to make a face mask to protect against COVID-19.

Also see the video for making an easy mask without sewing.

Another no-sew mask is offered by the Guardian: "My masks protects you. Your mask protects me."

Face Masks: Pre-COVID-19 Market Value, US$ Billions - from 2025 to 2018:<br />
 2025	50.91 2024	47.8 2023	44.88 2022	42.14 2021	39.57 2020	37.16 2019	34.89 2018	37.76
Demand was high for face masks before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the market was valued at $32.76 billion in 2018, projected to gorw and reach more than $50 billion in 2025 (Source:  2018 sales and 2019 to 2025 projections, Statista;  photo, Taiwan Stanch)

Group of women sew face masks in Albany Georgia

A group of hospital volunteers sew face masks for health providers after a COVID-19 outbreak in Albany, Georgia (Source: Phoebe Putney Health System)

Also read about the history of East Asians wearing face masks.

© 2020 The New York Times Company