GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — U.S. health officials are learning more about how coronavirus is spreading and have since changed their stance on if people should be wearing masks.
After initially saying it was not necessary, they are now recommending people wear cloth or fabric face masks when out in public.
They are asking people to leave N95 masks to workers on the frontlines, but say cloth masks are more effective than not wearing one at all.
State Senator John Bizon is joining the many health professionals in advising people to cover their faces.
“The masks are going to be helpful in trying to cut down the transmission rate, so that the epidemic is gradually lowered,” State Senator Dr. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek said.
Bizon says its especially helpful because some people could be carrying the virus but are asymptomatic.
“Depending on how they make it could be very much better than nothing and some of the studies suggested that it’s even better than the surgical masks that we typically use in the operating room," Bizon said.
Adding they can easily be made at home.
“Masks are very easy to make it home, my daughter has been making them at home and this is the mask I have for personal use when I go out shopping,” Bizon added.
I’m not as crafty as the Senator’s daughter and I don’t have sewing machine, but I did find a method circulating online that is easy and fairly effective.
Here are the steps, make sure your hands and surface is clean (Click video for context):
1) Take a 100% cotton t-shirt and cut it into a rectangle just under the sleeves.
2) Starting with the longest side fold the fabric into thirds.
3) With the shirt now folded you want to divide it into three equal parts using two shoelaces.
4) Loop the shoelaces under and around each side.
5) Fold the left side over and then tuck the right side into it.
6) Put the loops around you ears and tie the strings behind your head to secure the fit.
There you have a homemade mask in just a couple minutes, using stuff I found in my apartment.
The masks are good for the occasional grocery store trip and can be washed after each use.
There are several other methods that are even more effective, click here for more on what the CDC recommends.
