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I spent some time today thinking about how I would rig up a mask.
You can't buy masks, for obvious reasons (sold out -- plus, I, as a non-medical guy, should be at the bottom of the list of priorities anyway when hospitals can't get them.) Well, you can sew one. Yeah, that's a real good idea. I'll just fire up my sewing machine.... OK, you can wrap a bandana around your face. I don't have any bandanas, but no one else does either, so I suppose anything made of cloth would do. I thought about cutting up some t-shirts, which is something I have read about. That might be better than nothing.
This is, to be blunt, f--'d up.
Americans are not going to be masked up, at least not at the level that apparently is needed.
I have stocked up enough necessary supplies that I don't plan to go out again for a good long time. (I did go out today to top off my supply of essentials: food, dog food and, of course, wine.) I did see some masks being worn, including improvised masks that made people look like bad guys in old western movies, which is also better than nothing.
So I won't need a mask, because I won't interact with anyone outside of the house for some time. (This is not an occasion for joy, but I will live with it.) But a lot of people will have to be out, and will not have a satisfactory way to mask up.
There has been some posting here about whether we should or should not use masks, and I wasn't at all sure until very recently, which is another issue because of the uncertain, wobbly official guidance that was offered. But if we assume that the answer is that one should, the fact is that most of us can't.
To repeat, this is f--'d up.
Bob.
When one door closes, another opens.
-- Cervantes, Don Quixote
I have some dust masks from wood working, even a couple used for working with volatiles, which would be overkill.
Some ideas I have are using gauze leftover from my kids swaddling blankets and my wife says she would just use a scarf if necessary. The gauze idea would probably work better where you live, since it is hotter and would not sweat your face off.
Push comes to shove, I would fabricate something from whatever I have lying around: shoelaces, elastic, old t-shirts, etc.
If you are planning to use normal cloth masks, I suggest making several of them and disinfect the one used each time and put it out under sun for couple of days in dry conditions. Don't re-use it for at least a week and don't wash them in your washing machines along with other cloths.
Here some people are using large handkerchiefs and double/triple it around face and tie a knot behind the head. Also do not touch masks and your face, if you do remove it immediately.
Not sure of effectiveness of that but its probably better than nothing.
One of my friends has tested +Ve (thought not very ill) and he is working in as trainee doctor in hospital. He was telling there is serious shortage of masks and gloves for even medical staff and some times they have to use their masks again.
Also, I'm not sure if already shared, but here is Boston Consultancy report on how many days lock downs may have to be extended, they seem to be covering most of the major regions.
These all look like good ideas. I think the non-sewing masks are the only ones that I would even attempt.
Deep within a NYTimes article mentioned by @sienna that had a lot of sewing stuff, there was this, using just a t-shirt and some scissors. My speed, I think:
I also liked the one about folding a bandana, the only problem being that when she says, "Fold an ordinary bandana" I have to say, maybe you've got "ordinary bandanas" lying around the house.... but I suppose you could rig up something similar with a lot of other things.
Not medical grade because of the fabrics, but something is better than nothing, I guess.
I don't plan to be out much at all, but someone may be able to use some of these ideas. I hope so.
Bob.
When one door closes, another opens.
-- Cervantes, Don Quixote
