We've been making masks at Couch for Covid 19 protection- after all we do make the world's best guitar straps so we've got the space, the people, and the machines, so we are stoked to get involved making cloth face masks as recommended people where by the CDC.

Hand Made In The USA Face Masks By Couch

Hand Made In The USA Face Masks By Couch

We have been scouring every bit of information out there and read dozens of articles and guidelines from The New York Times, The Center For Disease Control, Kaiser Permanente and even Refinery29 to get the current consensus on the best designs and materials for supplementing the need the most effective facemasks due to the shortage of N95 masks for hospital workers. The shortage extends beyond hospital workers into other essential public servants. At Couch we began the design process at the behest of a friend working for the Los Angeles Department of Health and Human Services who works directly on the front lines with L.A.'s homeless population. There is no one providing these 250 people with masks as they are simply not available so we are doing it now. Our design, made for them, ourselves and our friends and family is also available to the public on our site here.

Custom Die For USA Made Face Masks

Custom Die For USA Made Face Masks

This Care Guide is being shipped with each mask, but it largely applicable to all home made facemasks, DIY face masks, or any type of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We'll update this as new information and testing comes in, but this should reflect all available up-to-the-day information to this point:

Mask Use and Care Guide For Covid Virus Protection 

The Center for Disease Control states the main function of wearing a mask is to protect others should you be infected. Community-wide mask use provides you mutual protection when others keep similar habits. 

There is evidence masks can provide you additional protection from preventing you from touching your face. Masks also can be effective in reducing exposure to incoming germs. The best masks according to the NY Times are constructed of high quality heavy weight cotton. This mask features two layers of cotton canvas, high and low face covering, and can provide a most basic level of protection worn as is.

For added effectiveness, add a filter to the insert slot. There is new research coming out daily on effective filter materials. Cotton, like in the thin flannel used in pajamas, bed and pillow sheet fabric, or even to a lesser degree that of a t-shirt can be effective when inserted into the mask to create a multi-layered system. Non woven materials like reusable grocery bag fabric made of non-woven polypropylene and disposable blue shop paper towels can both be highly effective where available.  

How to safely use a face mask:

  1. Wash mask before use. 
  2. Wash hands immediately before and after use. 
  3. Never touch the front of the mask, always lift the mask on and off from the ear straps.
  4. The mask is highly effective as a reminder not to touch your face. Don’t touch the mask when using either.
  5. Sterilize the front of your mask, remove filters and wash after use. 

 The mask is not intended of course to be a substitute for an N95 mask, but when used correctly it should reduce transmission and provide protection from the virus.

Rock,

Couch