Hampton Roads residents get crafty with homemade face masks

Medical grade masks are reserved for health care workers, but cloth masks are simple to do at home. The community is busy making them.

HAMPTON, Va. — Virginians shouldn’t leave the house without a face mask. It’s Governor Ralph Northam’s newest request following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Medical-grade masks are reserved healthcare workers, but cloth masks are simple to do at home. The Hampton Roads community is busy making them.

Hampton resident Karen Albero has made about 100 cloth masks in one week. It all started when she saw her neighbor needed a face mask, so she put her sewing hobby to the test.

“I posted it on Facebook,” Albero said. “I was overwhelmed by the response. People saying, ‘Oh my goodness, can you make me this?’”

She uses two pieces of 100 percent cotton fabric to make a mask and slides a filter in between them. Albero buys bright patterned and themed fabrics.

She also uses rubber bands for ear loops now that elastic is scarce.

“They are as comfortable as the elastic,” Albero said.

More