Create a mask, join #10 million masks project and save lives

Shortages of protective equipment have already been reported in South Africa, in an effort to address the shortage, #10millionmasks project is calling all South Africans to spread the love by encouraging citizens to hand-make masks for people who need them. For example, the healthcare workers who do not have enough N95 medical-grade masks to serve on the front line of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

#10millionmasks is made up of a group of creative agencies including Measured, Papersnap, Hooman Agency, Saskia’s Interiors, Mirra Mirra Media, Currin’t Events and Debbi Shultz. The group has urged citizens to sew a mask, donate fabric or become a coordinator and distribute masks to communities, they have also included a pattern you can download from their website to make getting involved super easy.

They suggest using cotton because it offers the best balance between breathability and protection. An old pillowcase, a T-shirt or sishwe-shwe is ideal. However, the group stresses that the handmade masks will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19 but they will stop you from coughing and sneezing on others when you’re at the shops or pharmacy.

Data from China shows a third of positive cases were asymptomatic in the early stages of the outbreak and unwittingly infected others, so by wearing a mask you’re protecting yourself and others.

“Fabric face masks are considered protective wear under government guidelines. We have been given permission from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to produce and courier fabric face masks only during the 21-day national lockdown period. We have arranged for local security companies to collect masks and drop off the fabric at makers’ homes,” said #10 million masks.