Just over two weeks ago, EPAM Continuum released the GENTL Mask, an open source solution for manufacturers to address the current shortage of protective masks for healthcare professionals. Since then, we’ve received questions from individuals looking to sew a cloth version of the GENTL Mask at home. In light of the CDC recommendation for the general public to wear cloth face coverings in public settings to slow the spread of COVID-19, EPAM Continuum has created sewing instructions for the GENTL Mask design for those who wish to make their own cloth face covering.
The GENTL Mask shape offers a comfortable-yet-snug fit to the face. Fabric is kept away from the mouth. A moldable nosepiece helps prevent warm air from escaping around the top of the mask (and fogging glasses). Elastic bands—or alternatives such as stretchy shoelaces or a ¾”-wide strip of jersey fabric—hold the mask securely in place.
If you make a cloth GENTL Mask, share your results with us on Twitter and/or Instagram, and please use the hashtag #GENTLmask.
Download the instructions here.
To learn more about the GENTL Mask, visit EPAM's SolutionsHub page.
About the Author
Leslie JohnstonINNOVATION CONSULTANT, LEAD HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERLeslie cares deeply about user experience and believes that every new tool should work for its user. Her background in human factors and healthcare innovation positions her to translate engineering inputs into a rich experience for all users.
Leslie has spent over 10 years developing user-centered solutions for medical, healthcare, and consumer wellness applications. She brings a deep knowledge of human factors for highly regulated environments, and has planned and conducted user research at all stages of development, from ethnography to validation. Her experience includes home-based healthcare, clinical workflows, and large surgical systems.
Prior to EPAM Continuum, Leslie worked with the Atrius Health Innovation Center to develop and launch new models of patient-centered care that spanned services, products, and workflows. Leslie holds a BS in Engineering Psychology from Tufts University.
