As Ireland moves into Phase One of the roadmap today, Monday 18th, Minister for Health Simon Harris has warned against a stigma around people not wearing PPE as Ireland moves into this phase. 
After weeks of uncertainty around whether wearing face coverings in public was to be recommended and numerous opposing views from experts, the Fine Gael TD said that Government advice is that wearing a face covering is recommended for the majority of people, but is not compulsory. Minister Harris stated “The guidance suggests that people under the age of 13 should not wear face coverings and also there are people with certain medical conditions, and people with allergies or perhaps people with autism who find the material, from a sensitivity point of view, to be too difficult to wear. So, not everybody is in a position to wear a face covering and it’s not mandatory, what it simply is, is guidance as an extra hygiene measure that people may wish to consider in certain circumstances.”
If wearing a face covering enables you to feel safer and less anxious when travelling on public transport or shopping where social distancing is not possible here is a great NO SEWING MACHINE face mask pattern which is pretty easy to follow, even for amateur sewers!! All you need is a plate for measuring, scissors, cotton material, sewing thread and needle. (Ignore the filter pocket in this pattern video it’s not necessary). Thanks Mary for sharing this video with us. 
https://youtu.be/UvMEJfwVlUs
Who knows you may unlock a new love of sewing and if that’s not motivation enough then here’s a few benefits of sewing to your health:
Stress Relief
Sewing encourages mindfulness and reduces stress and anxiety. The meditative action of sewing encourages positivity and feelings of relaxation. Being forced to concentrate on one particular task enables you to become immersed in a situation and truly unwind.
Improved hand-eye coordination
If you’re keen to enhance your motor skills, sewing does just that; especially hand-eye-coordination. The attention to detail that sewing requires encourages coordination and relieves physical issues such as back pain.
Brain Growth
Sewing requires creativity, which improves the brain’s ability to grow new brain cells. As mental deterioration is a result of lost connection between neurons, sewing promotes mental growth.
Happiness
Like other craft activities, sewing increases dopamine in the brain, which makes us feel more positive.
It fights dementia
Because sewing makes you remember specific steps, it works the brain and keeps the mind clear, focused and active. This can help prevent dementia as you grow older.

Happy sewing everyone!