Does wearing two masks provide more protection?
It depends, but duplicating it may help in some situations.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends them wear a cloth mask made of two or more layers and make sure it covers your nose and mouth. The agency says it should fit perfectly so there are no gaps in the sides of the face.
Wearing just one mask should be enough for most situations, as long as it fits well and is not loose, said Dr. David Hamer, an infectious disease expert at Boston University.
“Starting with a good mask to start with will be key,” Hamer said.
However, some people may want extra protection if they are at risk for serious illness if they are infected or in situations where they expect to be close to others for extended periods, such as on an airplane.
One option in cases where additional protection is wanted is to wear a cloth mask and a regular surgical mask, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco.
Gandhi said the combination, with either of the two masks on top, could help achieve an effect similar to that of the N95 mask. He recommended additional protection for people who will be indoors in areas where transmission rates are high, which could reflect the circulation of more contagious variants.
Another option is recommended by Gandhi and a partner for situations where you want “maximum” protection: a two-layer fabric mask that has a filter material.
With disposable fabric masks for everyday use, Gandhi noted that it is important that they are made of well-woven material and have at least two layers, which creates “an obstacle course” that makes it difficult to walk. of virus-carrying particles.
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The AP answers your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Send them to: [email protected].
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