# 3582
There is a very strong possibility that later this year, and over this winter, you may find yourself wishing you had a facemask to wear, and there may be none available.
In an earlier blog tonight, I reported on a new study that suggests that simple facemasks may be at least somewhat protective in the home setting when caring for someone with influenza.
The bad news is, we haven’t nearly enough masks to go around, as this article from last May reminds us.
A New Pandemic Fear: A Shortage of Surgical Masks
By Bevan Schneck Tuesday, May. 19, 2009
A man wears a medical mask during the morning commute in New York City, April 29, 2009.
Brendan McDermid / Reuters
The surgical face mask has become perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the H1N1 pandemic threat, but if the currently circulating flu virus does in fact reach full-fledged pandemic proportions, U.S. health officials say there won't be enough face masks to go around.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says the nation would need more than 30 billion masks — 27 billion of the simple surgical kind, which can be worn safely for only about two hours before needing replacement, and 5 billion of the sturdier respirator variety, which also requires regular replacement — to protect all Americans adequately in the event of a serious epidemic. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile currently contains only 119 million masks — 39 million surgical and 80 million respirator. That's less than 1% of the goal health officials set in 2007 following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which highlighted the country's shortages of vital medical gear.
The U.S. mask gap stands in stark contrast to what other nations have on hand: the U.S. has one mask for every three Americans (masks are not supposed to be shared), while Australia has 2.5 masks per resident and Great Britain boasts six.
While supplies of manufactured surgical and N95 masks may be difficult or impossible to find during the height of a pandemic, there is one possible alternative which was published in the CDC’s Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases back in 2006.
A homemade reusable mask made out of Tee-shirt material.
SophiaZoe, at A Pandemic Chronicle, has kept the idea at the top of her blog.
She offers it without recommendation, as do I.
Emerging Infectious Diseases Volume 12, Number 6, June 2006
Virginia M. Dato,* David Hostler,* and Michael E. Hahn*
*University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Figure. Prototype mask. A) Side view, B) Face side. This mask consisted of 1 outer layer (≈37 cm × 72 cm) rolled and cut as in panel B with 8 inner layers (<18 cm2) placed inside (against the face). The nose slit was first placed over the bridge of the nose, and the roll was tied below the back of the neck. The area around the nose was adjusted to eliminate any leakage. If the seal was not tight, it was adjusted by adding extra material under the roll between the cheek and nose or by pushing the rolled fabric above or below the cheekbone. Tie b was tied over the head. A cloth extension was added if tie b was too short. Finally, tie c was tied behind the head. The mask was then fit tested.
A very strong caveat is in order here.
I’ve no idea how well this idea will work. I have to believe, however, that it beats no protection at all.
While my sewing skills are non-existent, I may try to make a few of these for myself over the next couple of months.
