The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may soon recommend all Americans wear two masks to improve their protection against coronavirus, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday.
“It makes common sense,” said the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases live interview with the Washington Post.
Fauci said he met Monday with colleagues from CDC about the possibility, and the agency has agreed to do a study to determine the effectiveness of wearing two masks.
“The reason they don’t recommend it right now, is a science-based organization, the CDCs,” Fauci said. “They make recommendations based on data and science, so that’s why they’re going to look at this particular issue.”
Fauci said he encourages people to fold their masks because “it can’t hurt.”
“The reason a lot of people use double masking, and in fact you’ve probably seen me wear a double mask, is that you can do a general common sense extrapolation,” he said.
“If you put two … [and] seek to improve the physical barrier, it is logical that it certainly can not hurt and can help. “
Fauci has previously asked people to start masking, although there are some concerns that the practice may cause more harm if not done properly.
Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert who was an adviser to President Biden’s transition team, said problems can occur with masks that have an “already compromised fit or filtration capacity,” which allows respiratory drops. escape the holes.
“If you add another mask, it may make it harder for air to move around the area of two fabrics, and at this point it causes more air to seep through the sides, which really improves your ability to infect. He told NBC presenter Chuck Todd on Sunday, “Meet the Press.”