Safety code blue! Assessing the use of blue surgical sterilization wrap for homemade respirator masks during the COVID-19 crisis

•The COVID-19 crisis has uncovered critical shortages of medical supplies.•Halyard H600 respirator masks have been proposed as N95 alternatives.•Halyard H600 does not meet N95 standards. The use of surgical sterilization wrap for respirator masks during the COVID-19 crisis has become a popularized personal protective equipment alternative option due to claims supporting its ability to meet N95 standards. This study sought to assess these claims using standardized filter testing. The tested material failed to meet N95 standards and suggests its use may place medical personnel at increased risk of harm when managing COVID-19 patients.