Mask or no mask

Are you wearing a mask?

Today I watched the news, recommendations come out about mask wearing out in public. This Does Not stop or replace social distancing, washing hands or staying in.  I've read a lot of conflicting information and I've been extremely confused at times about what to do and what not to do. 

 I've decided to wear a mask out.  Yep, I am wearing one to the store, basically the only place I go these days.  Why?  Coronavirus is spread by aerosol from your mouth and your nose.  So breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, smoking... you get the idea.  That nasty virus gets in to the air and you breath it in.  An N95 is the best and most protective mask out there but there is a shortage of those and any they do have are being reserved for healthcare workers and those directly caring for patients who are positive or likely positive.  

Masks are pretty hard to come by these days, so I asked my sister to sew our family some.  She found a pattern on the internet, used scrape fabric, and made them.  She opted to make us a 3 layer mask similar to a surgical mask.  Fabric on the front and back and interface in the middle.  I am aware that this will not keep me from getting coronavirus but it will decrease the transmission.  At this point our best bet it to decrease that rate of transmission by hand washing, staying inside, social distancing, wearing masks in public places and doing our part as global citizens to stay home.  

Below is a link to a pattern if you sew: 

https://sarahmaker.com/how-to-sew-a-surgical-face-mask-for-hospitals-free-pattern/