Scientists in Hong Kong have posted a video showing how people can make their own face masks out of items around the house (and cheaply). Professor Alvin Lai, Dr. Joe Fan and Dr. Iris Li from the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital have invented a cheap and easy method of making them.
The invention comes as Chinese mask factories struggle to keep up with demand and after a man was arrested in the region for breaking into a parked car and stealing eight boxes containing 160 masks.
Covid-19, the name of the coronavirus, so far it is killing a low percentage of the population, but it affects people of all ages. Not only older adults or those with a weak immune system, anyone can be attacked by the virus.
While in Hong Kong thieves do not stop stealing masks, in Spain we are not lucky enough to have such supplies at the moment. If you are one of those who does not have a mask at home, we will show you how you can make it with very basic materials.
What materials do you need?
To make a mask you will need: kitchen paper, strong tissue paper (tissues), elastic bands, a hole punch, masking tape, scissors, plastic-coated steel wire, a pair of glasses, plastic folders and folder clips.
However, the hospital specified that the materials, including duct tape, air conditioner filter paper, and cotton cloth are not suitable for making them.
Executive Councilor and Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Dr. Lam Ching-choi, said: “I hope this can alleviate public panic. Scientific tests found that these homemade masks can offer a certain degree of protection if you do not have a mask at home«.
The steps are:
- Wash your hands well with soap and clean your materials.
- Place one piece of kitchen paper, with the appropriate hygiene certification, on top of another.
- Put a piece of tissue paper (handkerchief), which will act as the bottom layer of the mask, on top of the two pieces of kitchen paper.
- Cut the stack of paper in two.
- Use masking tape to seal both sides of the mask.
- Punch two holes on each sealed side with the punch.
- Secure the metal wire with masking tape to the upper edge of the mask to make the wire of the nose bridge.
- Tie four rubber bands through the holes in the sides of the mask.
To make an additional protective shield you must:
- Cut the plastic folder in two parts.
- Attach a piece to the rim of the glasses with binder clips.
- The shield can be reused after disinfecting each time it is used.