david allio

Hand-made Masks – Visual Art Collection

In 1968, Dolly Parton released a song entitled Coat of Many Colors. I am reminded of it when I see freshly washed hand-made face masks air drying. My wife, Lin, continues to gather supplies and sew masks for all of those who will wear them and the count is now closing in on 600 hand-made masks – each taking over an hour to complete. It is her way to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus and protect the health of family, friends, neighbors, and needy strangers.

"”Any interaction with the general public poses an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19. People who show no symptoms can spread COVID-19 if they are infected. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. The CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19." – Dolly Parton

Hand-made Masks – Visual Art Collection

"As the pandemic continues, more than half of the world’s countries are mandating the wearing of face masks in public. Is it helping to slow the spread of COVID-19?

"Months into the pandemic, countries around the world are seeking to tighten public health policies to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, until there is an effective vaccine. With growing evidence that face coverings limit the virus’s transmission, more than one hundred countries have issued nationwide mask mandates. Others, including the United States and Brazil — which have the two highest confirmed case counts and death tolls — have decided against federal requirements, though some state and city officials have issued mask orders. Without national mandates, large percentages of people choose to forgo masks."¹

Hand-made Masks – Visual Art Collection

“Cloth face masks were first used by surgeons in 1897 to prevent contamination of the surgical site, and in the early 20th century to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the community, including during the 1918–19 influenza pandemic. In the 1920s and 30s their efficiency in excluding bacteria, and clinical efficacy in reducing surgical site infections, were demonstrated in experimental and observational studies. These studies showed that mask efficiency was directly related to the closeness of the mesh and the number of thicknesses of gauze,” according to a Be Covid Safe document produced by the Australian Government – a nation with near zero transmission one year after their first Covid-19 outbreak.

That paper goes on to report, “Reusable cloth masks should be washed after each use or at least daily. Prolonged use, reuse without washing and touching or adjusting masks can lead to self-contamination and infection (of the wearer). They are increasingly less effective as they become increasingly damp.”

Additionally, in testing multiple-layer fabric masks had equal protection qualities to medial masks, plus some advantages: “Cotton performed better at higher thread counts. Washable, reusable fabrics such as cotton reduce adverse environmental effects of widespread use of disposable, non-biodegradable face masks.”