The latest suggestion for stopping the spread of COVID-19 is this: double masking. Dr. Anthony Fauci supports the use of double masks because "it makes sense," the top medical adviser told NBC News.
The concept of double-masking is supported by some scientific studies, and no, wearing two masks won't suffocate you. Here's what you need to know about wearing two masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The science behind the double mask
Dr. Fauci's recommendation comes after new strains of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, were discovered, which are believed to be more contagious than the main strain of SARS-CoV-2.
“We need to be more careful now,” says Andrea Love, an immunologist and microbiologist.
Masks work by trapping and blocking respiratory droplets containing virus particles, Love explains. “The more physical barriers you have in place, the more of those droplets you can block, thereby reducing the risk to yourself and others around you,” she says. Ideally, the more layers of masks you have, the better. Even if you’re wearing surgical masks, which generally already have two thin layers, you can still benefit from wearing a double-layer mask, Love says.
It's important to understand that cloth masks, like the ones most people typically wear , aren't particularly helpful, Love says. Many cloth masks offer little or no protection , she says, depending on the material, number of layers and fit , which is why health experts recommend double-masking.
When to wear two masks
“If you plan to be around people who are not from your immediate environment, even outdoors, a good solution is to wear two masks,” says Love.
How to wear a double mask correctly
Simply wearing one cloth mask over another can improve your protection, but a different combination can help more. If you wear a cloth mask over a surgical mask, it can be much better, Love says.
Information source: cnet.com
