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As we’re well into the crisis now, health experts are warning us to protect ourselves at all costs. But some people have taken the warning a little too literally. It turns out, there’s virtually nothing some of us wouldn’t do (or wear) in order to keep the virus at bay. As a result, DIY-at-home protective gear has now been spotted all around the aisle runways.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the coronapocalyptic look, which is both a fashion statement and a major faux pas. But the people sporting it couldn’t care less. Kitchen sponges, diving masks, and full-length tarpaulin suits—you name it, they wear it. Seemingly immune to strange looks, these shoppers are better safe than sorry. Except the safe part of the statement remains open to question.

#1

A Stranger Took A Picture Of Me Wearing The Proper PPE For A Trip To Walmart For Just The Essentials

A Stranger Took A Picture Of Me Wearing The Proper PPE For A Trip To Walmart For Just The Essentials

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#2

Remember, It Has To Be With Wings

Remember, It Has To Be With Wings

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#3

Quarantine Fun With Mom! Only Masks Available On-Line

Quarantine Fun With Mom! Only Masks Available On-Line

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As bizarre as some of the DIY protection examples may look, the idea itself is not completely irrational. We now know that the world is running out of face masks for the front-line medical workers. And that’s why experts advise against buying them.

The surgeon general Jerome M. Adams has tweeted: “seriously people—stop buying face masks!” Jerome claims that they’re ineffective in preventing the general public from catching the virus. His point is still a subject of debate and experts tend to have opposing views. One is clear—when leaving the medical-grade masks to professionals only, we are no longer contributing to the shortage of supplies.

#4

When My Daughter Has No Face Mask To Go Outside But Says "Don't Worry Dad, I Got This!"

When My Daughter Has No Face Mask To Go Outside But Says "Don't Worry Dad, I Got This!"

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#5

As Seen In A Supermarket In Quebec

As Seen In A Supermarket In Quebec

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#6

This Guy Didn't Have A Mask, So He Came To The Orthopedist As A Polar Bear

This Guy Didn't Have A Mask, So He Came To The Orthopedist As A Polar Bear

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In an interview with Bored Panda, Anna Davies, who’s a research microbiologist at the University of Cambridge, explained that without testing, it’s impossible to say which DIY protection works and which doesn’t. “Without it, we just don’t know.”

However, some home-made protection may be better than others. For example, Anna is worried about a plastic bag because of the risk of suffocation. But the snorkel mask is not such a bad idea after all. “I can imagine a snorkel mask providing good barrier protection, but it can’t be very comfortable.”

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Anna told us that it’s possible to make a mask at home but it wouldn’t be as good as a commercial one. But wearing a mask only isn’t enough to protect yourself. “It certainly wouldn’t be a replacement to social distancing/isolation and hand hygiene.”

The debate over whether protective masks do help to protect wearers from the virus is still on. According to Davies, “Used properly, it may help to lower overall risk of transmission,” but she adds that “there’s very little evidence for that.” Masks are most appropriate for individuals who are symptomatic. “It may lower (but not remove) the risk of transmission."

#10

Covid Drip

Covid Drip

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Low level chemical warfare. Anyway, I've read that some patients lost their ability to smell. If you can hear the fart but not smell it, you should get tested.

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#11

You Always Gotta Be Careful When Going To Supermarkets, Especially With COVID-19 Right Now

You Always Gotta Be Careful When Going To Supermarkets, Especially With COVID-19 Right Now

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chi-wei shen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might not protect them from the Coronavirus, but they are well equipped to fight for toilet paper.

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#12

Plague Doctor With Garlic Is Here

Plague Doctor With Garlic Is Here

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Chyppa Homer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Let's see now... was it Virus or Vampire ? Better be safe than sorry" "And yes, it also protects my virginity !"

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But in times of crisis, it’s better to be safe than sorry. For those of us who couldn’t get their hands on protective masks, the internet has a solution—make your own. Of course, they’re not even close to being as effective as surgical masks, this study run on an influenza pandemic showed.

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The New York Times has made a step by step guide to sewing a face mask from common household materials. All you need is a needle, scissors, 100% cotton fabric, and 4 strips of the same fabric (or shoelaces). But remember that wearing it correctly is as important as the mask itself. Make sure that air can’t get through the sides. Don’t forget to remove it after it gets moist and clean it (if it’s reusable) or discard it safely.

#13

When You Care About Your Health But Also Don’t Care About Your Health

When You Care About Your Health But Also Don’t Care About Your Health

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#14

How To Date On Quarantine

How To Date On Quarantine

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lailyfnoor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor IQ - it took me a while qustioning what's uraqt. Then I realized it means you are a cutie

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#15

Who Needs Face Masks, Or Hand Sanitizer When You Can Have Beskar Armour To Protect Against Corona?

Who Needs Face Masks, Or Hand Sanitizer When You Can Have Beskar Armour To Protect Against Corona?

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#18

How To Protect Your Car From The Coronavirus

How To Protect Your Car From The Coronavirus

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#20

Not Getting The Coronavirus. Spotted In The Atlanta Airport

Not Getting The Coronavirus. Spotted In The Atlanta Airport

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#21

This Woman Who Came Into Our Restaurant Said This Is The Only Protective Mask She Could Find

This Woman Who Came Into Our Restaurant Said This Is The Only Protective Mask She Could Find

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Colin L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those masks have terrible vision... so.... bitches be trippin. (I'll go away now)

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#22

No Masks, No Problem

No Masks, No Problem

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#24

This Is Going Way Too Far

This Is Going Way Too Far

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#26

I Understand The Fear Of Coronavirus, But What Is That?

I Understand The Fear Of Coronavirus, But What Is That?

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Colin L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Homemade body condoms, when there just isn't enough protection in the world!

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#29

Next

Next

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#31

Italians Dealing With Lack Of Face Masks

Italians Dealing With Lack Of Face Masks

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#32

Improvise, Adapt And Overcome

Improvise, Adapt And Overcome

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#33

Who Had The Good Idea To Pull Out The Soviet Asbestos Masks?

Who Had The Good Idea To Pull Out The Soviet Asbestos Masks?

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#34

Facemask

Facemask

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Flisey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Face mask because don't want to get sick, no helmet riding scooter because don't care about brain damage (maybe that second part is too late...)

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#35

With No Face Masks On The Shelves, The Mighty Emperor Provides During These Troubling Times. In Perth, Western Australia

With No Face Masks On The Shelves, The Mighty Emperor Provides During These Troubling Times. In Perth, Western Australia

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#36

When Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions

When Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions

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#37

How They Quarantine In Breaux Bridge, LA

How They Quarantine In Breaux Bridge, LA

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#38

Not The Safety We Needed, But The Safety We Deserve

Not The Safety We Needed, But The Safety We Deserve

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#40

Man's 'Genius' Way Of Protecting Himself During Coronavirus Pandemic

Man's 'Genius' Way Of Protecting Himself During Coronavirus Pandemic

h_saltovka Report

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Draco Malfoy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your total comes to $28.99. Hold on, um, it's in here somewhere, I swear it was right there a minute ago!

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Note: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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