Not long ago, I shared a polymer clay ear guard tutorial for those of you who are making masks.  These relieve the pressure on the ears caused by long hours wearing the elastic loop styles. You can also check my past post on how to add blue shop towel layers to make homemade masks more effective.

Gloria Uhler of Domestic Diva-Online has a very different hook style polymer clay ear guard tutorial to share.  Like all creative souls, she even embellished them with cut outs to match the mask fabric!

Scroll down her page for the tutorial which also includes two different mask patterns.  I have tried out her shaped masks and like them. They are faster to make than the patterns I used before but there aren't smaller sizes for children.  I also think her 4 button mask idea is cool.

Note that the elastic loops have to be much longer to attach to the ear guard. Gloria says she typically uses 4.5" lengths of elastic but has to lengthen these to 9 inches for use with the ear guards.

A possible adaptation of the polymer clay ear guards it to make them multi-hook similar to the concept for 3D printed versions shared for free on Thingiverse. But the plastic 3D printed ear guards are flexible. So you will likely have to shape long polymer clay ones to fit the backs of heads.

Gloria also has a nifty tip in her post about an elastic alternative if you have run out of elastic.


WHY WEAR MASKS?

The virus is very new so there is much to learn about its characteristics and how it affects us.

Scientists are puzzled as to why some infected people show few to no symptoms at all, but others, even younger folks without underlying health conditions, are felled by the infection. Scientific American reports on the scientific evidence which shows "Individual differences in genetic makeup may explain our susceptibility to the new coronavirus and the severity of the disease it causes."

New symptoms for this highly contagious virus are also popping up. "Covid toes", a skin change seen in children which looks like frostbite, could also be a possible symptom of viral infection. Pediatricians are recommending these kids be tested for the virus.

Much more serious are the reports of children admitted to hospitals in New York and Europe with Kawasaki Disease.  This is a rare, but potentially lethal, inflammatory disease.  The abnormal numbers (for a rare disease) of children affected in various viral hotspots have led doctors to consider the virus as a possible trigger.

Scientists are also trying to find out what the average incubation period might be for this particular virus.  The incubation period is the time from infection to the time the person starts to be ill. The average incubation time from this study seems to be about 5 days with most people displaying symptoms within 11.5 days.

That means, for several days, such asymptomatic people could be unknowingly spreading the disease especially if they do not follow public health advice for social distancing etc.  Wearing masks is about protecting those who are vulnerable in our societies. And it isn't only about the elderly.

Masks are another layer of protection in the fight against this virus especially in crowded places.


MASK MAKERS

You're not alone in mask making......

These are the parachute specialists or riggers in the Canadian army. "Their primary task is to construct, repair and inspect parachutes used by the Canadian Armed Forces but moving to face mask production is a natural switch. “It’s a good use of skills in a different way” says Major Mathieu Arseneault, Officer in Command of Support Company. With the intent of issuing three masks per soldier that is required to have them."  


An airborne division helping fight an airborne disease!

MAKING MASKS FOR HOSPITALS

Many hospitals are appealing for volunteers to make and donate cloth masks. These masks are NOT meant for frontline medical staff who have to use higher grade PPE (personal protection equipment). Instead, fabric masks are for approved visitors and for newly discharged patients leaving the hospitals.  Check with your local hospital for details. Many prefer a standard design and will provide information on where to safely drop them off.  Here is the mask info example from my local hospital, Cambridge Memorial  Hospital.   

There might also be mask making support groups in your area to exchange tips and donation of materials to mask makers.  Some people even prepare mask kits for others to sew.  For Canadians, check out Facebook for Canada Sews - there are also sub-groups by region as it is easier for those people in the same area to arrange safe drop off and pick up points. 

From my local hospital mask making group Facebook group :



 Before You Go:

Disclosure

This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
 ______________________________
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips  -Jewelry Business Tips