Is it time to double up on face masks to help combat COVID-19 variants?

With new variants of the coronavirus making their way through the United States and even some parts of Texas, there have been some jokes that say wearing two masks is better than one.

Some medical experts told the Washington Post this week that if you have the mask added and increase your protection against the virus, you will help lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 or one of its variants in the UK, South Africa or Brazil. .

However, the CDC has not published any official guidelines for wearing two face masks instead of one, and according to Dr. Ruth Berggren, with UT Health San Antonio, there are no medical studies yet. demonstrated.

Announcements

Dr. Berggren said in an interview with KSAT 12 that two masks may not be needed. Instead, make sure you have two or three layers inside the face mask and follow the three Ws: Wear a mask, Wait six feet away from the others, i Wyou will burn your hands.

“I don’t think double masking is the answer: it’s the 3W,” Dr. Berggren said. “You don’t have to have two masks to be safe. You just have to have a good mask. ”

“At least a double layer of masks, not a single layer of elastic material. Two or three layers, “Dr. Berggren added.

With these new virus variants, you may be wondering how safe the face masks you’ve used over the last year are.

To get started, make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth. If you wear a mask halfway through and only cover your mouth, it offers little protection for you and those around you, according to Dr. Berggren.

Announcements

“[It’s] totally ineffective. It’s like you’re not wearing a mask at all, ”said Dr. Berggren.

It is also important to consider the degree of fit of the mask. If it is loose or has a large gap on the sides, this may cause you to need to wear a second mask.

“If the mask has a big gap next to it, then this is a problem. You need to work on how it fits or use a second mask for that, ”Dr. Berggren said.

The CDC has a few more tips for figuring out which masks are the safest to use.

From:

• It has two or more layers of washable and breathable fabric

• Be sure to cover your nose and mouth with the mask

• The sides of the mask should fit snugly around the face without gaps

Do not:

• Wear masks made of hard-to-breathe fabrics, such as vinyl

• Do not use masks that have valves or exhalation vents that may allow virus particles to escape.

• They are intended for healthcare workers, such as N95 or surgical masks

For more information on what the CDC recommends for face masks, click here.

Yes, some of the variants have already entered Texas, according to a recent report by The Associated Press.

Announcements

As of Jan. 19, health officials reported a case of the UK variant, or B.1.1.7, in Dallas County. Another case was confirmed in Houston on January 7.

None of the variants has been shown to be more lethal. However, they are significantly more transmissible, according to media experts.

Dr. Berggren said that while reports have not officially confirmed that cases of variants have been found in San Antonio, she believes there is a good chance they are already here.

“We know they’ve been in Houston and we think they’re here,” Dr. Berggren said.

Fortunately, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are still believed to be effective against these new strains of COVID-19. And boosters can also be developed to help combat the vaccine response.

Announcements

For now, health officials urge you to continue to follow current public health guidelines and not to lower your guard.

You can watch the full interview with Dr. Berggren here.

RELATED: A health expert says San Antonio “could be in a world of pain” with COVID-19 variants