Carlos Ovalle, Executive Director of People of Long Beach, is sharing his plans for a Do It Yourself mask in these times of COVID-19. Please share this as you see fit and contact Carlos (email address below) or info@polb.org with any questions.
Ever since reports of hoarding of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including masks was publicized I’ve been working on various iterations of this DIY mask. The initial version was similar to a Procedure Mask / Surgical Mask. This was followed by the same model but with a double layer. Then came the duckbill and now the model shown here, which is a duckbill but a far more efficient build.
I approached the problem as I would any design project (I’m an architect); identify the problem and solve it. I read a lot of reports and countless of instances of DIY masks, the vast majority being similar to the Procedure Mask. Some were more like the typical N95 mask that is molded from non-woven material “painter’s mask” but used air conditioning filter fabric sewn together, not efficient and costly.
My criteria was simplicity:
1) inexpensive material (under $0.10)
2) non-latex rubber bands (but common rubber bands or elastic work as well)
3) no special skills or equipment necessary (only scissors, stapler, and a ruler)
4) ease of assembly
5) speed of assembly (3 to 5 minutes)
6) disposable
In contrast, the typical cloth masks, such as the ones that Memorial Hospital is receiving from the public, require a sewing machine and skill to operate it, more expensive material, and are non-disposable.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Please note that my hours are limited while I work on masks for front line workers.
Carlos Ovalle, Architect, LEED AP
csovalle@gmail.com
Editor’s P.S.: The cost listed above is not a typo; materials for these masks are 10 cents each (or 10 for $1)
The following images (and the introduction above) are available in a single, downloadable .zip file or as pages in a single PDF file:
Click HERE to download .zip file Click HERE to download PDF file
