Does wearing two masks offer more protection?
It depends, but it is possible that doubling up may help in some situations.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wear a cloth mask with two or more layers, and make sure it covers your nose and mouth. The agency says it should fit well so that there are no gaps on the sides of your 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 expert in infectious diseases at Boston University.
“Starting with a good mask is going to be the key,” Hamer said.
Some people may want extra protection if they are at risk of serious illness if they are infected or will be in situations where they will be with others for long periods of time, such as in an airplane.
One option in scenarios when you want extra protection is to wear a cloth mask as well as a regular surgical mask, said dr. Monica Gandhi, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco, said.
Gandhi said the combination – with any mask on top – could help get a similar effect as the N95 mask. She recommends the extra protection for people who will be indoors in areas where the transmission speed is high – which may reflect the spread of more infectious variants.
Another option recommended by Gandhi and a colleague for situations where you want ‘maximum’ protection: A two-layer cloth mask with a filter material in between.
With single-face masks for everyday use, Gandhi noted that it is important that they are made of well-woven material and have at least two layers, creating an ‘obstacle course’ that makes it harder for virus particles to break through.
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The AP answers your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit it to: [email protected].
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