Mask crunch sparks D-I-Y tips in Japan

TOKYO: As Japanese shops run out of face masks amid the H1N1 flu outbreak, local authorities and bloggers are offering do-it-yourself tips on making masks from kitchen paper, coffee filters and even sanitary pads.

The western city of Tatsuno now gives handy hints on its official website on fashioning a basic anti-flu mask from gauze, tissue and a pair of rubber bands.

"We had many enquiries from people on what to do after they found no masks in the stores," said Hiroyuki Kobayashi, a disaster management official with the city's fire brigade.