File Photo: People wearing face masks due to coronavirus |Photo: Getty Images

With the number of COVID-19 cases crossing the 4,000 mark in India, the government is trying its level best to contain the disease. In such a situation, the importance of taking precautions too has increased many folds.


Though the initial claims suggested that healthy people need not wear a mask, governments are now asking everyone to wear a mask while going out. CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the US government too advised its citizens to cover their faces while in a public place.

A study done by Smart Air compares different materials and their effectiveness against 0.02 micron particles. Note that the coronavirus is just is just 0.1 microns in size. Thus, the following materials have the capacity to contain 0.02 micron particles which are five times smaller than coronavirus particles.

Coronavirus precaution: Here’s how you can make your own mask at home

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Here is a list of materials in the sequence of their effectiveness:

  • Surgical mask- 89% effectiveness
  • Vacuum cleaner bag- 86%
  • Dish towel- 73%
  • Cotton blend fabric- 70%
  • Linen- 62%
  • Pillowcase- 57%
  • Silk- 54%
  • 100% cotton t-shirt- 51%
  • Scarf- 49%

Thus, a surgical mask has the highest effectiveness, followed by vacuum cleaner bag, dish towel and cotton blend fabric. You can use any of the above materials to make a mask at home. Here is the easiest way to make a mask, without the use of needle and thread.

Follow the following steps to make a mask at home:

  1. Take a square piece of cloth which is twice the size of your face.
  2. Now fold both, the upper and the lower half towards the center, to form a long rectangle.
  3. Now take two elastic bands or hair bands for both sides.
  4. Put the elastic bands on both sides of the cloth by just passing it through the bands.
  5. Now fold the outer sides towards the center and stretch the rubber bands on both sides.
  6. You have your own DIY mask, which can even be rewashed.

Here is a video of U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams on how to make your own mask at home-

It is recommended that you refrain from purchasing surgical masks, as there is already a shortage of masks for doctors and medical practitioners. Either purchase a cloth mask or make masks at home using the above given technique. Make sure the mask covers your face and nose completely, as fit of the mask plays a big role in the prevention of the disease.