Wear a homemade mask to slow the spread of COVID-19#Masks4AllThe scientific evidence is overwhelming that we can reduce virus transmission with homemade masks. Please protect yourself and others by wearing a homemade mask in public and asking that others do the same!

Critical Note: Please donate professional masks (N95 and surgical masks) to hospitals. We are advocating for homemade masks.

Critical Note: Please donate professional masks (N95 and surgical masks) to hospitals. We are advocating for homemade masks.

“Analyses show that if 50% of the population were to wear masks, only 50% of the population would be infected by the virus. Once 80% of the population wears a mask, the outbreak can be stopped immediately.”

Homemade Masks Are Effective At Slowing COVID-19 Spread

 “Any type of general mask use (including homemade masks) is likely to decrease viral exposure and infection risk on a population level, in spite of imperfect fit and imperfect adherence.” –2008 Study Published In The U.S. National Library of Medicine

Hong Kong, Mongolia, South Korea and Taiwan, have covid-19 largely under control. They are all near the original epicenter of the pandemic in mainland China, and they have economic ties to China. Yet none has resorted to a lockdown. –Washington Post

The big mistake in the U.S. and Europe, in my opinion, is that people aren’t wearing masks. This virus is transmitted by droplets and close contact. Droplets play a very important role—you’ve got to wear a mask, because when you speak, there are always droplets coming out of your mouth. Many people have asymptomatic or presymptomatic infections. If they are wearing face masks, it can prevent droplets that carry the virus from escaping and infecting others.” –China’s CDC Director

“There is emerging evidence that asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is possible…everyone, including people without symptoms, should be encouraged to wear nonmedical fabric face masks while in public.

The WHO is ignoring the basic logic and scientific evidence supporting homemade masks

Major Updates: U.S. CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public and Los Angeles County strongly recommends that all citizens wear masks

The WHO recommends masks for those infected with COVID-19 or those taking care of people infected with COVID-19. (source)

But ~50% of people who have COVID-19 are asymptomatic. (source)

So it follows basic logic that if we don’t know who has it and anyone who has it needs to wear a mask, then we should all wear masks.

Plus, there are “34 scientific papers indicating basic masks can be effective in reducing virus transmission in public — and not a single paper that shows clear evidence that they cannot.” (source) 

The Prime Minister of Slovakia released this statement after making masks mandatory: The WHO says “that only those infected should wear a mask. Only the future will show which countries have chosen the right approach and which haven’t.”

The Science Behind Wearing Masks

“The study proves the importance of washing hands and wearing face masks in public places because the virus can linger in the air attached to fine droplet particles.”
Study published in the peer reviewed Practical Preventative Medicine

“Implementing barriers to transmission, such as isolation, and hygienic measures (wearing masks, gloves and gowns) can be effective in containing respiratory virus epidemics.”
Study from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Chart Source.

Why homemade masks keep yourself and others safe

“A double layer of 100% cotton cloth is about 70% as effective as a surgical mask at capturing small particles (up to five times smaller than coronavirus).”
Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India (study #1 & study #2)

1. Protect others by not spreading the virus if you have it.

2. Protect yourself by reducing your chances of catching the virus when you go outside.

3. Reduce face touching by wearing something that covers your face.

Source: Covid-19: Why We Should All Wear Masks – There Is New Scientific Rationale

Some experts have argued that non-medical fabric masks might make a dent in transmission risk. “Something doesn’t have to be 100% effective to be beneficial,”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 

#Masks4All Is Already Working In The Czech Republic

 Major UpdateNetanyahu says all Israelis must wear face masks in public (April 1) –The Hill

The #Masks4All movement was started as a grassroots movement in the Czech Republic. In a matter of 3 days, almost 100% of citizens were wearing homemade masks. And as you can see from the chart, it has been effective. (source)

The rise of #Masks4All led the Czech Republic government to make it mandatory for citizens to wear masks in public.

“Much of Central Europe is now following the example set by China, Taiwan and South Korea. On [March 30th], Austria mandated its citizens wear masks when outside the home, after the Czech, Slovak and Bosnian governments issued similar orders.”
Wall Street Journal

“Wearing a simple cloth mask, decreases the spread of the virus by 80%! Czech Republic has made it OBLIGATORY for its citizens to wear a mask in public.”  –Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

Chart source.

#Masks4All In The News

Washington Post (the article that kicked this off the U.S.): Simple DIY masks could help flatten the curve. We should all wear them in public. 

Major Update: CDC considering recommending general public wear face coverings in public

New York Times: It’s Time to Make Your Own Face Mask 

Wired: It’s Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work 

Medium: Homemade face masks could be the silver bullet for defeating COVID-19

Vox: The evidence for everyone wearing masks, explained 

ABC Good Morning America: Growing Debate Over Masks

National Review: A Lesson from Japan’s Fight against Coronavirus: Masks Help

Medscape: ‘Stealth Transmission’ of COVID-19 Demands Widespread Mask Usage

Time: Why Wearing a Face Mask Is Encouraged in Asia, but Shunned in the U.S. 

CNN: Should you wear a mask? US health officials re-examine guidance amid coronavirus crisis 

WFMZ: Senator Pat Toomey endorses “Masks4all” movement | Coronavirus Info 

“The study proves the importance of washing hands and wearing face masks in public places because the virus can linger in the air attached to fine droplet particles.”
Study published in the peer reviewed Practical Preventative Medicine

“The median-fit factor of the homemade masks was one-half that of the surgical masks. Both masks significantly reduced the number of microorganisms expelled by volunteers, although the surgical mask was 3 times more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask.” –Cambridge University Study

“Implementing barriers to transmission, such as isolation, and hygienic measures (wearing masks, gloves and gowns) can be effective in containing respiratory virus epidemics.” –Study from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 

 

Americans “can wear scarves” as an alternative to wearing a mask: “You know, you can use a scarf. A lot of people have scarfs, and you can use a scarf. A scarf would be very good.”
Donald Trump 

CNN: Dr. Fauci signaled he would “lean toward” recommending that the general public wear facemasks “if we do not have the problem of taking away masks from the health care workers who need them. Particularly now that we’re getting some inklings that there’s transmission of infection from an asymptomatic person who is not coughing, who is not sneezing, who just appears well.” – Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 

How To Make (And Clean!) Your Own Mask

1. Please share this information on social media to spread awareness and so that everyone will make masks! #masks4all

2. Please donate professional masks (N95 and surgical masks) to hospitals. We are advocating for homemade masks.

 

Option 1: T-Shirt, Scissors, And A Paper Towel (Takes 2 Minutes)

Other Homemade Mask Options

You can also read this extremely detailed guide from the Indian Government (source for the two images above).

Sew A Professional Looking Mask

This is a more advanced mask that requires basic sewing knowledge plus fabric, scissors, and elastic.

A Paper Towel + Rubber Bands

This is a mask that you can make with paper towels, tissue, tape, a hole puncher, wire, and rubber bands.

Get Involved.

Share this information using #Masks4All on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok
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General Inquiries: info@masks4all.co