Mask making on social media: Women’s mask making practices and advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: COVID-19, the disease caused by virus SARS-COV-2, can create serious respiratory problems, or even death, for those affected. Individuals who share messages about its risks and related risk reduction behaviors have potential to make a broader health impact. Early in pandemic, some individuals made homemade masks address limited supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) posted their efforts on social media. Aim: To understand grassroots application Crisis Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) theoretical model concerning effective early phases crisis. Methods: Using both individual interviews observations, researchers conducted study 15 Appalachian women making during Covid-19 pandemic analyzed 9 media accounts. Results: Through gained understanding as how mask makers used distribute engage communities. Social often contained calls action, connections issue, supported makers’ reach network individuals. Discussion: An evaluation extends CERC framework level. Conclusions: This provides insight into role advocacy, user-generated messaging reduction.