DCARA has an important information to share with the community. Watch our video below.

[VIDEO TRANSCRIPT]

Maybe you have noticed that the CDC has encouraged us to wear masks but some counties are now requiring masks or we can be fined! It is hard to know which to follow. I encourage you to follow your county officials if they are requiring masks or not.

[White Slide with the words “Wearing A Mask” in teal font appears on Screen. Screen fades to show a caucasian woman with pulled back red hair wearing a black top with a grey cardigan signing in front of a beige wall]

You might have noticed that CDC is now encouraging us to use masks. But some counties require masks or they will fine us. Who do we follow?

I suggest you follow our respective counties for whether or not to wear a mask. But we do encourage you to wear masks if you feel you can easily breathe through the mask. If you do not breathe easily through a mask, it might not be the best option for you to do so. It is important to be able to wear a mask without fidgeting around with it, which is often done so by touching your face in the process.

It’s important for you to practice and learn how to make a comfortable mask and use it appropriately out in the field.

[Teal Slide with the words “How to make a mask” in white font appears]

How do you make your own mask?
It’s easy really. All you need are 2 or 3 items. The first is to find any cotton cloth. I’m going to use my own black and white bandana as an example. Next, you’ll need two elastic hair ties. Lastly, as an option, you can choose between using a folded paper towel or a folded coffee filter. This acts as a filter for the mask. You want to ensure that the folded paper towel or coffee filter covers your nose and mouth appropriately.

It’s quite simple when you are making it. Hold the bandana up where it appears to be a square, then fold it, from top to middle and bottom to middle, which will create an elongated rectangle. Then fold it again from top to middle and bottom to middle, thus further creating a skinnier elongated rectangle. It is at this time where you can add your hair ties to the ends of the bandana. You will need to measure where the hair ties will need to go based on your face size. I already measured mine so I know where to put the hair ties in. I used the black lines on my bandana as an outline as to where to put the hair ties.

Then fold in the two sides, toward the middle, over the elastic hair ties. When you look at the mask, the two sides might not come perfectly together, that is ok because everyone’s face is a different size. You need to adjust it to cover your nose and mouth, it might be longer on one side but it doesn’t matter as long as it covers your mouth and nose.

When you put the mask on, if you feel you have enough protection and can breath alright you can use it that way. If you want, you can add the paper towel or coffee filter for added protection. You decide for yourself. You can insert either the paper towel or coffee filter into the mask. I will show you using the coffee filter. Then do the same to the other side of the mask. Make a slight pull on both sides. Raise the completed mask to your face to test if it covers your nose and mouth. It is too small. Just pull the two sides of the mask by the elastic hair ties to stretch it out far enough. You can see the coffee filter as the mask gets longer, but that is ok. OK!

Don’t touch the mask with your hands while you are out. Make sure you are comfortable and can breath with the mask, without thinking about touching or readjusting the mask.

Now when you are finished using the mask, what do you do? Throw it away? NO, don’t do that! Throw the coffee filter away. This, you put in the wash with hot water and soap. Every time you go out, using the mask, when you return, put it in the wash. If you only have one bandana, at least change the filter part each time you go out. Change the filters and wash the bandana at least once a day if possible. You can look around your house for other material that could be used to make a mask. Any cotton fabric, like an old pillow case can be cut to make a mask.

For more information: www.dcara.org/coronavirus