The debate over whether Irish citizens should be wearing face masks has ramped up in recent days as the nation prepares to emerge from lockdown.
The National Public Health Emergency Team met today and is expected to brief Government on the wearing of face coverings.
NPHET is looking at evidence supporting the use of masks in public with Dr Tony Holohan saying yesterday that guidance on when and where to “wear, find and make” them would be drawn up.
One Irish disease control expert is adamant that masks should be worn to stop the spread of the deadly bug.
Professor Gerry Killeen from University College Cork said: "Ireland needs to make the wearing of face masks mandatory immediately, but not necessarily everywhere or all the time.
"Widespread use should be encouraged, it’s ideal to always assume one may be quietly carrying and shedding the virus and behave accordingly."
While we await official advice on the wearing of coverings in public, the UK government have issued advice on how to make a simple face mask from an old t-shirt, reports Birmingham Live.
Here's how to make it:
Step 1: Cut a straight line across the width of the T-shirt (front and back) approximately 20cm from the bottom of the T-shirt.
Step 2: From a point 2cm below the top right-hand corner of the fabric, make a 15cm horizontal cut through both sides of the fabric that is parallel to the top of the rectangle.
Step 3: Cut down towards the bottom of the fabric until you reach approximately 2cm above the bottom edge. From here, make another 15cm cut that runs parallel to the bottom of the fabric to make a rectangle that can be discarded.
Step 4: To make the ties, cut open the edge of the 2 long strips of fabric. Unfold the main piece of fabric and place over the mouth and the nose. The 4 strips act as ties to hold the cloth face covering in place and should be tied behind the head and around the neck.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting the mask on and after taking it off.
You should avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store the used face coverings in a plastic bag until you wash them.
They can be put in with other laundry, using your regular detergent.
