Hi everyone, this is the “MacGyver” version for making the face shield when you don't have a hot glue gun. The original version uses a hot glue gun from Michaels instead of the Scotch tape. Posted on My Instagram account @georgeyangmd   / b-gi5s9d7r7  

To convert an existing or damaged face shield to a reusable one with discardable cushion and head band: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-XvLVzD...

0:00 How to make face shields
9:32 How to make Omega face mask, using Non-woven fluid resistant fabric found in the hospital as a N95 Cover, to conserve the medical face masks as separate use PPE.

I believe that the hospitals, city, and state governments are all trying to procure PPE for our front line healthcare professionals. The problem is that since the federal government has not taken over by federal mandate to take all of the inventory, to ration and distribute them by need, some hospitals are better stocked, while others are are running out. New York Governor Cuomo said that they had a large order for N95 PPE which evaporated, because they were outbid by another purchaser. Private citizens and groups are all trying to help, and may purchase the PPE at a premium to ensure that they are getting them for distribution for their website or Kickstarter supporters, but who knows if the competition between all of the purchasers is actually making some confirmed orders disappear into thin air. If the New York State government can have an order disappear, what may happen with a smaller funded hospital. It's not an excuse, but I don't think this is being done intentionally. This started in Wuhan China, and much of the PPE manufacturing is in China. Closures of their factories immediately compromised the supply chain.

So what can we do? We need to think outside of the box and purchase items that other people are not thinking of. The raw materials. Acetate sheeting or vinyl sheeting, foam cushion, and braided elastic. Stores like Michael's (Arts and Crafts), Joann's (fabric), or Staples have supplies which can make a face shield which work to block splashes and sprays towards the face. If they can't ship them quickly enough we can buy the less in demand raw materials and fashion #MacGyver our own face shields until they can provide more.

I chose the face shields because I can't make N95 masks without significant technology and special materials. In addition N95 masks depend on fit testing to make sure there is no leakages of the N95 mask. A simpler solution is to protect and keep the N95 filter surface as clean as possible to make sure the filtering ability remains viable and doesn't clog making it difficult to breath, as well as protecting them from getting dirty with visible splashes of bodily fluids and droplets. Face shields seem like the obvious first piece of protection between the patient's mouth and the HCW mouth. My hospital is recommending to add a procedural mask on top of the N95 when performing procedures which may result in droplets or aerosol. Procedural masks are usually fluid resistant.

In the second part of the Video 9:32, I describe the Omega Face mask (HCW version) which uses fluid resistant materials we find readily in a healthcare environment (gowns, drapes, autoclave paper wraps, cold pack sleeves). These materials are usually baby blue in color which identifies them. Since elective surgeries are cancelled and most of the Covid-19 care is not surgically related, these surgical gowns and drapes might be used to make many fluid resistant face masks to protect the N95 and extending their usefulness.

If you watched Dr. David Price's Viral video interview with his family members, he said that he only wore the N95 mask when performing procedures which would result in aerosol production. Otherwise, he would wear a surgical mask when not in those situations. This will also prolong the effectiveness of the N95 masks. He seemed confident that the mode of transmission through Human to human contact is from a contaminated hand to mouth/nose/eye area. He felt it was possible from breathing in an aerosol breathed out from an infectious patient, but if you kept a 6 foot distance the risk is still lower. The main benefit of a non-N95 mask is really to ensure that your hands do not touch your nose and mouth area accidentally. We are creatures of habit and also human, so even if you are really good 95-99% of the time, only wearing the mask when outside 100% of the time and washing your hands religiously immediately after touching a potentially contaminated surface (so you don't forget to do it, if think you will wash it later when you get home.)

Hope that makes sense. Good luck, be safe. Follow the rules 100%.