Two masks protect against COVID-19 better than one, but not always: when this recommendation is useless

Since the start of the pandemic, wearing masks has been encouraged to protect against the rapidly spreading coronavirus, recalls bestlife... But as new strains began to spread at an alarming rate, people began looking for ways to enhance that defenses.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their mask guidelines to support wearing two masks to better prevent infection. But you need to combine them correctly. There are some types of masks that should not be used together.

Two disposable masks

This combination will not enhance defense. According to the CDC, "Disposable masks are designed to fit snugly and wearing more than one mask will not improve the fit." For the mask to fit snugly, it should lie on the nose, under the chin and on the cheeks without gaps.

However, you can combine disposable masks with others. The CDC recommends this option: wear a disposable mask under a cloth one. In this case, “the second mask should press the edges of the inner mask towards your face,” the agency explained. Earlier studies also confirmed this exact order of layering.

A Jan. 21 study published in the journal Cell says to "fit a cloth mask tightly over a surgical mask, where the surgical mask acts as a filter and the cloth mask provides an additional layer of filtration to improve the fit." Researchers have found that with the right fit and combination (an important requirement), it can stop the spread of coronavirus with over 90% effectiveness.

On the subject: How masks and respirators affect immunity and oxygen levels in the blood

Masks N95 and KN95

The CDC also cautions against using two KN95 masks, or combining a KN95 mask with any other mask. The agency did not give any explanations. But experts say this combination is unfortunate for several reasons.

Paul Hickey, president of PuraVita Medical, which makes KN95 masks, said layering KN95 masks can be dangerous.

“KN95 and N95 masks are designed to be used as respirators,” he said. — A respirator is designed to create an airtight seal around your face so that you only inhale air that passes through the respirator material, and the air you exhale passes only through the respirator material. An N95 will make it difficult for you to breathe, so yes, it can be dangerous. Respirators are designed to have only one layer, not two.”

Sam Baron, M.D., BioPharma's chief physician and president of Halodine, said applying a layer over another KN95 mask could also negatively impact the fit of a mask already designed to be extremely effective.

“N95 and KN95 masks are designed to filter out 95% of aerosol particles through a tight fit achieved when worn correctly. Placing another mask on top of these masks will change the fit and may result in decreased effectiveness,” Baron explained.

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The CDC says that using masks twice can increase the effectiveness of protection by almost 40% compared to wearing a single mask. According to the study, wearing a cloth mask over a disposable surgical mask can reduce exposure to potentially contaminated airborne particles by 90%. A surgical mask by itself only blocks 56% of cough particles, while a cloth mask blocks 51%.

However, wearing two masks is optional.

According to White House COVID adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, the CDC's updated data is simply a recommendation on how to achieve additional protection.

“The CDC says, at a minimum, wear a mask. At least one mask, but if you really want to be sure, better get a second mask,” he explained.

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