Youth

Crafting face masks for a cause

With public health experts recommending people wear cloth face coverings while venturing out in public places or even inside homes, especially those in clusters, given that the Novel Corona Virus (Covid19) is in for a long haul -- wearing of reusable cloth face masks will be the new normal.

Even as experts are warning to leave the surgical N-95 masks for health workers on the front lines of the health crisis, there seems to be already an increased demand for face coverings. As experts are now urging folks to opt for homemade face masks, a teenager in Fatorda is on a mission -- helping with the fight against Corona Virus by creating face masks.

"Actually I wanted to do my bit towards the cause of helping out in the world health crisis when my mother urged me to create face masks for the use of family members after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all citizens to start wearing face covers. That's when I decided to work on it," says Sakshi Nagarsekar (18) as she demonstrates how to make a mask.

A student of Std XII, Sakshi had answered most of her papers, except one when the government postponed examinations due to the 21 days nationwide lockdown as a measure to combat Covid 19 pandemic. Now, for this teenager, combating the Corona Virus pandemic is to craft homemade face masks, sensing the need that will need to be met, and doing adequately as much single handedly -- well ahead of the community’s call for help.

"The complex part is the layering or creating the filter," says Sakshi as she crafts the cloth at the table in a straight pattern. "Since I do not have a sewing machine, I do the stitching manually with a needle and use fabric glue which I already have in my stock," she says, even as she complains about the unavailability of raw material due to the lockdown.

“If you are really looking for ways to help out and mobilize and do what you can, you will need to make do with whatever material available with you. Like I use unused cotton dupattas or clean cotton cloth that is already available at home to craft  the masks. Elastic is also not easily available,

so I use wool string, as of now,” she suggests.

So far, in a span of two days, she has managed to make some 20 masks, which she has sent out to her family members. "Charity begins at home," she says even as she is busy crafting more and will  coordinate pickup this weekend to send to friends, before starting work on the next batch.

Sakshi Nagarsekar

"I want to cater to shelter homes for children and senior citizens, as per requests for donations," she expresses indicating she will continue making masks in the coming weeks with the hope that more people start making their own masks and start using them as well.  

"Face covers can be the next style statement, and especially in this age of viruses, the most essential personal protection gear. So one can stock on varied colours, shapes and designs to make go with your outfits. Most importantly keeping in mind the purpose of wearing one," she smiles.

Homemade face masks are listed as a “last resort” option by the CDC, behind face shields and ventilated headboards. However, as people grapple with shortage of readymade masks, and with experts urging common public to stop buying masks meant for medical professionals, leaving them for frontline workers --  combined with mandatory use of face covers, especially in public spaces and  heavily populated areas -- reusable home made face masks seem to be the only alternative.