25/03/20 by Candace Sorrell
calls regarding homemade fabric masks
Cooper County Public Health Center
17040 Klinton Drive Boonville, MO 65233
Telephone: (660) 882-2626 ~ Fax: (660) 882-2586
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 25, 2020 4:05pm
Media Contact:
Melanie Hutton RN, MSN Administrator
melanie.hutton@coopercopublichealth.com
(Boonville, MO) The Cooper County Public Health Center has received calls regarding homemade fabric masks. Here are some guidelines we found on the CDC website. We hope they are helpful to anyone interested in wearing them or making them. Currently, we are unaware of any healthcare providers in the area that can make use of the masks but check with local community agencies or churches for citizens in need.
Home made fabric masks are good for the individuals who are concerned about spraying body fluids from their mouth while they are ill. The fabric masks do not provide the protection of an N-95 mask.
For healthcare personal (HCP) see below.
HCP use of homemade masks:
In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.
CDC website link-
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html
Pattern link-