Mask-Making to the Rescue: Key Skills During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In the more than 12 months since the detection of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19, science has moved rapidly to increase understanding of the disease, which is now a pandemic with public health preventive measures to curb the spread of infection. Consensus on the effectiveness of simple, cloth face coverings, designed to reduce the spray of respiratory droplets that can transmit the virus, took longer to form than consensus on techniques such as handwashing or covering, which are effective for almost all viruses. This paper does not outline the public health purpose of wearing masks to reduce the spread of infection;instead it is focuses on the teaching opportunity within family and consumer sciences (FCS)--mask-making projects. The knowledge is going beyond basic sewing skills, which are being re-established and valued all across the country, to include materials selection, design challenges, and patternmaking techniques to successfully produce effective masks. These textile and apparel competencies are allowing FCS professionals to move to center stage in their role as science educators during this new challenge.