Posted on: April 6th, 2020

 

A message from the Gold Hill Fire Protection District Health Officer

Dear Gold Hill Residents,

  The objective of homemade masks is not to recreate an N95 mask.  The objective it for everyone to wear a mask to remind us to keep our hands away from our face and to slow the spread of the virus.  If you have on a two-layer cotton mask, you are keeping 65% of the virus from you.  If the other person you encounter is wearing a two-layer cotton mask protecting them at 65% and you are also standing 6 feet apart, the virus has very little chance of spreading.  Wash hands before putting the mask on and don’t mess with it once it’s on.  They should be washed after use with soap and water and can be hung to dry.  The masks are not to allow one to feel they can go out into public more, but are for when you have to go shopping or run necessary errands. 

 My concern is that if folks think their bandana mask is useless, they may decide not to wear one.  If us mask makers are worried about trying to compete with an N95, we may think it useless and not make them.  This is not the thinking we need right now.  Everyone is in this together and should do their part.  Wear a mask and make that pesky virus work for its ability to spread.  Please make masks dear Gold Hillians, and hand them out for free.  I have elastic coming soon and will gladly hand it out to whoever needs it.  I am making masks of two to three layers, depending on breathability.  I will include a link to the mask I’m making.  Shoestrings work well and at the end of the video she shows how to best attach ties.

  Thank you all for all your efforts to social distance, make masks, wear masks and show love and concern for your community. 

https://youtu.be/DqlmDf6_hsY

Leslie Finn

Health Officer GHFPD

finn.leslie@nullgmail.com