Make your own face mask with these simple step-by-step guides

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has made finding face masks at drugstores and supermarkets so difficult, the government has stepped in, announcing two cloth face masks will be sent to every household in Japan.

Of course, not everyone can wait for their special mask delivery – and plenty of households have more than two people. So Japanese netizens have been getting crafty, sharing tips and tricks on making DIY face masks from paper towels, handkerchiefs, or even old bras. 

To be clear: no homemade mask is as effective as a proper surgical face mask, but if the store-bought kind isn’t readily available, and you're staying in due to the recently declared state of emergency, then grab a ruler and some scissors and try making one of these.

Paper towel mask (no sewing required)

Maskless Tokyoites were quick to share this super simple technique for turning a paper towel into a face mask. Originally tweeted by the Disaster Response Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, this mask requires no sewing skills and very few materials. Take a sheet of paper towel, fold it into a concertina shape, then staple a rubber band to either end and you’ve got yourself a single-use paper mask.

Handkerchief mask (no sewing required)

This five-minute mask design, courtesy of Japanese chain Muji, is a remarkably creative use of a handkerchief and two hair ties. Using a clever folding technique instead of sewing, this handkerchief mask is another good option for anyone who feels a little threatened by needle and thread. Just make sure to get some large-sized hair ties, otherwise the mask might be a bit tight.