TOE-TAL GENIUS!
A SAVVY woman has shown how to make a face mask from an old sock in just one minute - and it doesn’t require ANY sewing.
Clever mum-of-one Safia Aggoune shared a video on TikTok showing her simple process for making the DIY face covering and thousands have been left highly impressed.
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In the video, Safia, who posts under @safiaaggoune, takes a sock and turns it upside down so the toe end is at the top.
Then she folds the toe end over so it is touching the heel and takes a pair of scissors to cut along the fold.
She then discards the toe section and cuts all the way down the side of the sock that doesn’t have the heel.
Next, she opens up the fabric into a rectangular shape and folds the material in half widthways along the section that was the heel.
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This results in you having one long straight side and one with a bump in the middle.
She then turns the fabric so the bump is facing down and then makes two incisions along either of the smaller sides to create straps to go around the ears.
Then the sock mask is complete!
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People on Twitter were extremely impressed by the clip, and praised it for being the “simplest” DIY mask they’d seen yet.
One wrote: “Brilliant! A new use for some decent running socks that have a hole in them!”
However, one pointed out that one cotton layer isn’t enough protection, and said: "They recommend several layers.
"You could put other fabric behind the sock though and use the sock to hold it in place. But any layer is better than no layer."
Another added: "What is this witchcraft."
Earlier this week, the government revised its policy on people wearing masks and has advised people in England to wear "face coverings" as part of its Covid-19 strategy.
It recommended Brits should wear face coverings when they are in "an enclosed space where social distancing isn't possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet".
The Government document released on Monday 11 May says, although wearing a face covering doesn't protect the wearer, it could protect other people if you are infected and have not yet developed symptoms.
What are the different types of face mask and how well do they work?
From dust masks to homemade coverings with cloth, there are a variety of protection methods popping up as people look for ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Here we take a look at some of the different types of face mask and how well they work...
N95 respirators
N95 masks are disposable face masks that are proven to filter the air to an industrial standard.
Manufacturers vary, but the N95 is a stamp from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to show that it is efficient.
The 'N' stands for 'Not resistant to oil' because the mask only protects against particles, not fluids, while the '95' means it filters out 95 per cent of airborne particles.
They generally have an eight-hour shelf life before becoming clogged depending on the work you're doing.
As they offer so much protection, they are used by doctors and nurses in a medical setting.
However, they have not been recommended for use to the general public yet due to supply issues for health workers.
Surgical masks
These disposable three-ply masks are fluid-resistant and they're the most common type of facial protection you'll see health care staff wearing.
They are used to prevent infected droplets from doctors, nurses and carers entering the respiratory system of the patient.
Although they don't have built-in air filters, they are considered effective enough for most staff outside of intensive care.
The nose clip can be bent to fit snugly around the nose, however they are a loose fit and the material gapes at the sides so they don't protect against all particles.
When they become wet, they're effectiveness is also reduced.
Also, they are disposable and are only intended to be worn once.
DIY dust masks (FFP)
Found in most hardware stores, dust masks can offer some level of protection from particles - if worn correctly.
If it says FFP1 then it’s a basic kind of dust mask and offers the lowest level of filtration for this kind of respirators mask.
To meet European standards, they have to be able to filter at least 80 per cent of particles - with FFP3 filtering 99 per cent.
That means that it can’t filter out tiny particles associated with viruses and bacteria.
You can also get a FFP3 mask, which looks similar but has a small filter in the middle to catch almost all airborne particles.
Short of being a full gas mask it offers the best protection - as long as it fits properly - and is more effective than N95 as well as the FFP1 and FFP2.
Cycling masks
These are generally worn by cyclists to prevent them from breathing in pollution in heavy traffic.
Usually made from neoprene, they fit tightly to the face and are intended to offer a level of protection from airborne particles.
Some are also marketed as N95, or N99 grade, which means the amount of filtered airbone particles is either 95 or 99 per cent.
Homemade masks
As many people can't get their hands on a mask, some have turned to fashioning their own.
There's been tips on using vacuum cleaner bags and even sanitary towels to cover your face.
While most won't be as effective as anything you can buy in a store, they will offer more protection than not covering your face at all.
Research by Public Health England in 2013 looked at the suitability of household materials that could be used as masks to filter bacterial and viral aerosols and found vacuum bags actually worked well.
Experts say that you should aim for multiple layers - a double layer of tightly-woven cotton with a thread count of at least 180 was one of the best barriers, according to researchers in the US.
Even a bandana, scarf or T-shirt can be used to cover your nose and mouth while in public.
People are specifically being asked to wear face coverings on public transport, but the new guidelines will not be enforced by law.
The Government document states face coverings should not be used by children under the age of two, people with respiratory conditions as well as those who could find it hard to wear them correctly such as primary school age children.
Homemade masks won't offer the same level of protection as medical-grade ones, but it hasn't stopped DIY tutorials popping up online.
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The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from household objects are effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
The CDC urges people to remember to clean their mask thoroughly after each use, and recommends chucking them in the washing machine.
How to make a sewn mask in four steps