Are Two Masks Better Than One?
We promised an update on what masks work best, turns out you need more than one.
A couple of months ago, we wrote (Is Your Mask Working?) about how the FDA created a special task force within the CDC to examine the efficacy of mask types to prevent the Coronavirus. The task force was created because of the flood of homemade masks, fashion masks, surgical masks and many others that appeared on faces as soon as the mask mandate was released last year.
The task force hasn’t come back to us yet, but with the new variant of the Coronavirus reeking havoc, the CDC released a new advisory about mask wearing. The new recommendation is to wear a mask that has two layers or more of cloth, that covers your nose and mouth. The mask needs to be tight in order to prevent gaps that expose the side of your face. You can read the CDC mask guidance here.
This also comes after President Biden’s Executive Order that all Federal employees are mandated to wear masks while at work, and anyone visiting Federal land must wear a mask.
Vulnerable groups are urged to wear two layers of masks, a surgical mask and a cloth mask on top. Dr. Monica Ghandi of University of California San Francisco, says that the two layers will create the same effect as the N95 mask. People who are in close proximity to others while in transit or daily functions will want to “double up” on mask layers where transmission rates are high, signifying the new variant. (AP, 2021) The other option is a two layer mask with filter material in between the layers.
Gandhi states “With single cloth masks for everyday use, it’s important that they’re made of tightly woven material and have at least two layers, which creates “an obstacle course” that makes it harder for virus-carrying particles to break through.” (AP, 2021)
Can you wear a face shield instead of a mask? No. There’s not enough research to show that wearing the plastic barrier will reduce your ability to produce aerosol droplets that could infect others. You can however wear a face shield in addition to a mask for double protection. (AP, 2020) Just make sure to clean your shield after daily use and wash your hands immediately after removing it.
Does wearing a mask pose a health risk? No. Wearing a mask is only an issue if you are incompacitated and cannot remove (or put on) the mask yourself, or babies who could potentially suffocate. Otherwise, masks pose no health risks, and especially not in comparison to the risk incurred by not wearing a mask. (AP, 2020) Your body will naturally adjust its oxygen levels to where it needs to be, so there’s no concern about not getting enough air. Just make sure to wash your mask regularly to prevent fungal or bacterial infections. Disposable masks are just that, use them once and throw them away.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/does-two-masks-give-more-protection-3bcaaedbe29c1535f2336660e9929d77