Scientists in Hong Kong have released a video showing how people can make their own face masks with items we have at home (and at a low price). Professor Alvin Lai, Dr. Joe Fan and Dr. Iris Li of Hong Kong-Shenzhen University Hospital have invented an easy and cheap method of making them.
The invention is born when 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 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 thieves in Hong Kong do not stop stealing masks, in Spain we are not lucky to have such supplies at the moment. If you are one of those who does not have a mask at home, we show you how you can do it with very basic materials.
What materials do you need?
To make a mask you will need: kitchen paper, strong tissue paper (handkerchiefs), elastic bands, a perforator, bodybuilder tape, scissors, plastic coated steel wire, a pair of glasses, plastic folders and folder clips.
However, the hospital specified that the materials, including adhesive tape, air conditioning filter paper, and cotton cloth, are not suitable for making them.
Executive Counselor and Chairman of the Commission on the Elderly Dr. Lam Ching-choi said: ” I hope this can alleviate public panic. Scientific evidence found that these homemade masks can offer a certain degree of protection if you do not have a mask at home . ”
The steps to follow are:
- Wash your hands well with soap and clean your materials.
- Place one piece of kitchen paper, with proper hygiene certification, on top of another.
- Put a piece of tissue paper (tissue), 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 the bodybuilder tape to seal the two sides of the mask.
- Drill two holes on each side sealed with the punch.
- Secure the wire rope with body builder tape to the top edge of the mask to make the nose bridge wire.
- 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 into two parts.
- Attach a piece to the rim of the glasses with binder clips.
- The shield can be reused after disinfection with each use.
