The Governor and Lieutenant Governor have launched a Homemade Mask Drive to support those working and living in congregate living facilities.

On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire station. Fire stations will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear. All 775 fire departments in the State of Minnesota will participate, including the Canosia Fire Department, located at the corner of Midway and Martin Roads.

While they don’t replace medical-grade personal protective equipment, cloth masks help keep the wearer’s germs from getting on other people, which is key to stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Guidelines on creating face masks include:

• Build a mask that tightly encloses the area around the nose and mouth, from the bridge of the nose down to the chin, and extending onto the cheek beyond the corners of the mouth, so no gaps occur when talking or moving.
• Use mask material that is tightly woven but breathable. Double-layer the fabric if possible.
  • Masks must be made from washable material such as fabric. Choose a fabric that can handle high temperatures and bleach without shrinking or otherwise deforming.
• The mask should be tolerant of expected amounts of moisture from breathing.
• Suggested materials:
  • Outer layer tea cloth
  • Inner layer of a microfleece to wick away moisture
  • Use an accordion fold to mimic a hospital mask as much as possible
  • Use a fat woven shoelace type material to bind the sides (such as quilt binding)
  • For straps, use elastic straps, shoelaces, or strips of fabric to loop behind the ears.

There is no standard design for a homemade facemask. Below are example design guides and patterns:

• North Memorial: How to make a healthcare face mask
• Allina Health: How to make a facemask
• CDC: Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
• Video: DIY: How to sew Face Mask
• New York Times: How to Sew a Fabric Face Mask

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings to protect others from COVID-19. Cloth face masks can help prevent the wearer’s germs from infecting others – especially in situations where they may spread the virus without symptoms. Cloth face masks are not a proven way to prevent COVID-19 from infecting the wearer.