Home-made adjustable cotton face covering with paper instruction slip, small, made in Todmorden, UK, by Cat Byrne, a local illustrator, 2020

In June 2020, England first made face coverings mandatory on public transport and a month later, face coverings became compulsory in indoor settings like supermarkets. In both cases, there were medical exemptions that applied. Particularly when face coverings were first required, many people made their own or used masks that others had handmade.

This face covering was made by Cat Byrne, a local artist and illustrator in Todmorden. One of the many things Incredible Edible did during the pandemic and particularly during the first lockdown, was to distribute free face coverings. Incredible Edible are a community benefit society in Todmorden, Yorkshire. Incredible Edible existed before COVID-19, but, like community groups up and down the country, they quickly pivoted their activity to support their local community during the pandemic.