Since the coronavirus outbreak, there’s been a shortage of surgical masks all over the world.
People have been buying in bulk to protect themselves from the COVID-19 infection. Now it’s almost impossible to find a place that hasn’t run out of masks. To make matters worse, stores that still have them in stock have increased their price to unbelievable levels. Sadly, we can but wonder how someone can try and get rich by exploiting another’s misfortune.
Zero empathy.
Does Wearing a Mask Help at All?
According to UNICEF’s latest update on measures to decrease the risk of getting infected, this shortage could have been avoided. Why? Well, you don’t really need a mask to protect yourself unless you’re actually sick! And you wouldn’t be wearing it for yourself, but to protect those around you.
Here’s what the official UNICEF’s website says:
“The use of a medical mask is advised if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) to protect others. If you don’t have any symptoms, then there is no need to wear a mask. The use of a mask alone is not enough to stop infections and must be combined with frequent hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, and avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever).”
That being said, if you can’t find a place to buy a mask, don’t despair. Just follow the other recommendations from the WHO and UNICEF, and you’ll most likely be fine.
Human Creativity at Its Best
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
The lack of masks in pharmacies and other shops has prompted people to get creative and find innovative ways to protect themselves. Now that you know that a mask isn’t necessary (or enough) to protect you from the coronavirus, you may not go this far, but some people came up with a hilarious idea of how to make their own masks.
If you happen to have an old bra, you too can make your own mask! And not just any mask, but probably a colorful one, with cute prints or lace – definitely unique. If you’re a guy, well, steal a bra from your girlfriend’s drawer! You have a good excuse, right?
The original idea came from a Japanese model, Asahina Yumeno, who managed to turn her old bra into a mask. Unselfishly, she shared her invention on Twitter.
What you should do is the following:
- Take a bra and cut it in half.
- Cut away the back band from the cup.
- Cut off the shoulder strap from the back band, but don’t cut the part that’s attached to the top of the bra cup.
- Pull out the hooks from the straps.
- Bend the straps so you get a round shape that you can hook to your ears.
- Sew the straps, and you’re done!
This mask may not have an appropriate filter to protect you from the virus, and it might look funny to some people. But you can’t say it’s not a pretty clever idea. Good job, Asahina!
