Sewing Masks for the Hospitals

[SunSeeker]

Anyone out there looking for something to do while required to stay home? If you like to sew, here is a video tutorial on how to sew masks that you can donate to your local hospital.

https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2020/03/18/coronavirus-deaconess-ask-public-provide-medical-face-masks/2865273001/

I saw the above on my Nextdoor neighborhood app. A healthcare worker asked people in my area if they can help donate such masks to Long Beach Memorial/Miller Children’s Hospital where she works. She said they have heard multiple times from management that they worry they will not have enough supplies to protect the hospital workers from infected patients. Just like people have been hoarding at the grocery stores, they see it at work with the masks and protective eyewear.

I am sure every hospital in the country is facing the same predicament. If you can sew, please help!

[WestLosAngelesGal]

1. But how...

...will you make it sterile for hospital use? I can see making it for yourself, but not to send to a hospital. You have touched it with your bare hands. You have breathed on it, etc.

[redwitch]

2. I am doing this here. They sanitize them and add a filter to the pocket.

They are then clean and 97% effective. Not perfect but better than nothing!

[WestLosAngelesGal]

3. Thanks for explaining!

=)

[SunSeeker]

6. The medical workers would wash them.

As that person explained:

"The hospital masks are one time use, but if there was huge shortage, personally, I would have a personal supply of a few for my shift and put the used ones in a bag and then launder them in hot water separate from my other laundry before my next shift. Homemade ones could for sure be laundered, but I don't think the hospital ones are made for that. It's probably not the number one way to protect us, but if there was nothing else it would be better than nothing."

[msongs]

4. here's another easy and fast one. for a double thick just use 2

rectangles instead of one. trick is to find the elastic. might want to turn down the sound

[drray23]

5. nice. last time i checked it , i could not access the video. it said it had used its bandwidth quota

My wife's quilt guild is gearing up to mass produce these..

[csziggy]

7. Here is another thread with other resources for making masks

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213133357

This blog has a study on best materials:
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

[SunSeeker]

8. Thank you. nt

[Ms. Toad]

9. I am finding isolated hospitals that are seeking them -

None in my area. Is there a central location that identifies hospitals that are willing to accept masks?

I'd hate to make masks that a local hospital is unwilling to use because it does not meet their specifications/they aren't able or willing to sterilize them/etc.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. Before you do this, check with your local hospital to see if they really want them. These are not

PPE and are not "better than nothing."

[Marrah_Goodman]

12. CDC says they are a last resort

But they are an option instead of nothing, which is what many have now. I agree about calling hospitals and doctors offices first before donating.

[lindysalsagal]

19. Agreed. Call first.

[Dave Starsky]

20. Call your local public health department.

They would know better than anyone what the current need is. It's their job. They coordinate with the hospitals, community health providers, behavioral health agencies, and other community-based organizations on these things.

[Marrah_Goodman]

11. I am already doing it

Making them for my daughter, granddaughter and their coworkers. The cloth ones are about 50% as effective as N95 masks but 50% is better then 0%. Been spreading the DIY info to as many people as I can. DUers, If you can't sew, pass the info along through social media.

I had to go get cloth today and there were two other customers in the store, both were mothers like me trying to protect our healthcare worker kids.

I would post a picture but I forget how

[SunSeeker]

17. Thank you!

[Chainfire]

13. I applaud the effort

But is is a crying shame that this is what we have come to. MAGA

[SunSeeker]

15. There's a Los Angeles ER nurse on my Nextdoor app begging people to make them for her.

She is offering to pay people to do it. It made me cry.

[Chainfire]

14. Here is the new Trump ventilator

https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/oak-fireplace-bellows/product/44285?&adpos=&scid=scplp30203&sc_intid=30203&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid%20search&utm_campaign=SC%20Shopping%20-%2035%20to%2065%20-%20Desktop%2FTablet%20-%20Non-Brand&sourceid=7SCNBDT3

[SunSeeker]

16. Don't give him any ideas. nt

[efhmc]

18. I just saw this and was going to post because I did not know what to look under.