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Authorities have told residents of Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire that if they can't keep 1.5 metres from people in the coming weeks, they should wear a mask.
Premier Daniel Andrews has also flagged that when the six-week lockdown ends, wearing masks will remain an "important feature" in Victoria's response to the pandemic.
Store-bought cloth or surgical masks are an option but there is also the satisfaction which can come from making your own.
So, how do you do that? Here are some tips.
What equipment do I need to make a mask?
- Some material — cotton is preferable and make sure there is enough to create several layers about 25cm x 15cm each
- The Victorian Government recommends three pieces of fabric: water resistant for the outer layer, blended for the middle layer, and a water absorbing cotton fabric for the inner layer
- A sewing machine. Or a needle and thread if you've got the time and skills
- Some elastic, or extra material for ties to keep the mask in place
- Patience
Now, how do I actually make it?
Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has instructions on how to make masks here, and recommends you follow this process:
- 1.Cut out three different layers of fabric (see recommended fabric types above) in 25x15cm rectangles
- 2.Stack them neatly in the correct order and fold down one edge of the long side of fabric to create a seam of 1cm
- 3.Stitch down the folded long side. Repeat step two and three for the opposite edge on the long side
- 4.Fold the short sides over to create a seam and stitch that way too (make sure there's room to thread your elastic or ties through)
- 5.Run your elastic or fabric tie through the hem you've created
- 6.Knot the ends of your elastic tightly
How do I wear it properly?
According to DHHS and Choice, once made, you should ensure the mask:
- Fits securely around the face, specifically covering the nose and mouth areas
- Is secured with ties at the back of the head or ear loops
- Make sure it doesn't have holes or a valve
- Allows for breathing without restriction
- Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or changes to its shape (cloth masks should be routinely washed in a washing machine)
How effective are cloth masks?
A mask is just one tool in fighting the spread of the virus.
Staying inside and physically distancing is ideal, but if you can't do that, wearing a mask provides a physical barrier to the virus.
"Cloth masks are inexpensive, easy to make and simple to use," Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says.
Face masks help contain droplets when people cough or sneeze, reducing the likelihood of spreading the virus.
However the Australian Government advises against wearing a mask for people with chronic respiratory issues.
How do I look after the mask and ensure it will keep working?
Fabric face masks should be removed as soon as they become damp and not used again until they have been washed.
Dr Holly Seale, a senior lecturer in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, says it must be cleaned with detergent in a hot wash cycle in a washing machine.
It also needs to be air-dried, and completely dry before it's used again.
Making sure it's hung out in the sun for a few hours would be your best bet after a machine wash.
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