Face Mask for You and Our Healthcare Workers

This purchase will buy you one fabulous handmade face mask AND fund the donation of two more masks to healthcare workers and other organizations in need (nursing homes, homeless shelters, first responders, etc). 

In this challenging and uncertain time, you can make a positive impact with small actions like this one. Help support our communities at risk by providing them with the protective equipment that they desperately need. 

Your generous support is incredibly valuable. Thank you!

Masks donated so far: 351

If your organization is in need of fabric masks, please reach out to me at rachelle@youphoriafestivalwear.com and I'll add you to my donation list! 

Mask Details

The masks have two elastic ear straps and a wire inside the top seam to allow the mask to form around your nose and create a tighter air seal. If the elastic ear straps are uncomfortable, you can tie a stretchy piece of fabric or something similar (shoelaces, etc) around your head like a headband and loop it through the ear straps. 

      

I've been making the masks with whatever high quality cotton fabric (usually 100% cotton) I've been able to find. Colors will vary depending on what's available. 

The masks are sterilized by baking in my oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes. They're sealed in plastic bags and shipped.

Your sterilized mask will be shipped to you as soon as possible. We'll do our best to get it in the mail within 3 days. 

Notes on Effectiveness and Instructions for Use

These face masks are made of two layers of cotton fabric and do not filter particles as effectively as an N95 mask. According to some tests, two layers of cotton fabric may filter up to 50% of COVID-19-sized particles. (Read more here). However, face masks are not a substitute for limiting your exposure to other people and minimizing trips outside of the home.

However, these fabric face masks are effective at protecting you from larger particle transmission (water droplets in air) and preventing you from touching your face. This Washington Post article and this Wall Street Journal article explain how cloth masks can be important in preventing the spread of this pandemic. 

Some healthcare workers who must reuse their N95 masks because of limited supply are wearing fabric face masks on top of N95 masks to keep the N95 mask uncontaminated for longer so that they may be reused for up to a week. 

I suggest wearing these fabric masks if you have no other option or on top of an N95 or surgical mask (if you have one) to prevent additional contamination (e.g. touching the N95 mask with your hands). 

When wearing:

Avoid touching the mask when you're out of the house. If you need to adjust or remove it, touch only the elastic ear loops or the edges next to your ears. 

Remember that these masks do not protect you completely from COVID-19. Please keep yourself safe! Avoid touching your face and practice social distancing. Thank you!

Washing, Sanitizing, & Storage:

Wash and dry the mask as often as you can (between uses). Iron to sanitize quickly in-between washes.

Store in a clean paper bag or similar, so that it can safely dry out without further contamination.