If you’re curious about what the most effective face mask you can get without wearing the full hospital outfit or hazardous materials suit, we have solid leadership thanks to a study from Florida Atlantic University. Using a mannequin head, hand pump, and smoke generator to emulate a human sneeze, the researchers mapped the droplets’ paths to see how they were altered by various types of masks. So the study found that drops from an uncovered cough could travel more than 8 feet (I hate to hear it!). But different types of masks can protect you against drops from closer or farther distances. And really, there is a mask to rule them all: quilted cloth masks, made of cotton if you can go the extra mile.
The study accumulates the results of each type of DIY mask, and you will not like the results. If you’ve been swinging a scarf like you’re about to rob a room, bad news. The scarves only protect you up to three feet. The path of the folded cotton scarf only protects you up to 1.25 feet, so you can better use your hair ties. The cone-style mask, for those who were a light summer with a Plague Doctor look, can block germs from a distance of eight inches. And then there are the old quilted and sewn cloth masks; Beautiful in their simplicity, they will protect you against drops that come within 2.5 inches of you.
Of course, the resounding message here is that any mask is better than none, so you know … wear a mask. And proper mask maintenance is also essential to doing it safely: The World Health Organization notes that if you reuse your mask, you should wash it daily with soap and water at least. Similarly, it should have hung from the face and should cover both the mouth and nose. If you keep smoking makeup during this pandemic, it’s time to improve your eyeliner set.
All that said, I am 110 percent sure that I am not the only one with zero sewing skills. That could be a nice excuse when this pandemic started, but there are many places where you can get a beautiful cotton-sewn mask.
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Some of the most effective machine washable face masks you can buy
Buy: watermelon mask, $ 14
Society6 recently put machine washable face masks on their lists of things that can be personalized. You get the good feeling of supporting an independent artist, and some of the proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen’s COVID-19 relief efforts. This emits summer-appropriate “watermelon sugar” vibes, but there are tons and tons and tons of pretty options to choose from.
Store: Mermaid Mask, $ 14
Obviously, Etsy was one of the first centers where people started designing their options, making it a place to turn to if the need arises. Here we have a mermaid that will help you feel more at home in the ocean, even on beach days this summer, mmm, you just don’t feel the same.
Buy: Three Pack 100% Human Face Masks, $ 28
This Everlane trifecta mask was released as an update to her 100% human campaign, a call to fight for human rights. If you’re looking to keep things simple and clean, you can buy this three-pack knowing that 10 percent of sales will go to the ACLU.
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