In light of the coronavirus pandemic, face masks are in huge demand right now. Millions of masks are needed , and you can help.

When asked to address a nationwide shortage of face masks on Saturday, the White House wasnt able to say when more health care workers across the country would be provided with more protective masks.

Designer Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame has offered to pitch in by lending his resources to produce masks , and crafters are contributing with helpful tutorials and patterns that are useful for both hospital donations and personal use.

If youve got a sewing machine, this is one way you may be able to help out. (And if you cant sew, we have no-sew mask tutorials , as well.)

The CDC now recommends that everyone wear masks in public.

In light of the medical professions shortage of face masks, its our duty to be responsible with these supplies. The World Health Organization previously urged that if youre healthy, you only need to wear a mask if youre taking care of a person suspected of having COVID-19 , or if youre coughing or sneezing. However the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated their recommendation to advise everyone wear face masks in public.

WHO also reminds us that masks are only effective when theyre used in combination with frequent and proper hand-washing . And if you do wear a mask, you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

Below are tutorials for making masks for personal use (first section) and for hospital donation (second section).

How effective are homemade masks?