Double face masks? N95? Protect yourself from new Covid-19 variants with these mask upgrades

“Now more than ever, the next four to six months are the most important time to really put on your mask,” says John Volckens, a professor of mechanical engineering at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

But how exactly do you mask better? And what other guidance on masking has changed? This is what you need to know.

What is double masking and why do people talk about it?

Double masking wears one mask over the other. It blocks more particles, because you have two layers and the fit is denser, which creates a tighter seal around your face with fewer gaps. “Double masking is very important to improve your mask,” says Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech.

What is the best way to double mask?

Most experts believe that a cloth mask over a surgical mask is the right way to go. A cloth mask can also help if worn over a KF94 mask, which is certified in South Korea to filter at least 94% of very small particles, says Dr. KF94s can be somewhat loose on the sides, so a cloth mask can help pull it tighter to your face.

A second mask is usually not necessary if you are wearing an N95, which is certified to filter out at least 95% of very small particles, or a KN95, the Chinese equivalent of an N95. But it can help protect the N95 material and extend its use.

It is important to maintain breathing when double-masking, says Dr. Volckens. “If a mask does not breathe, one of two things happens,” he says. “If there is too much resistance, the mask will leak, or if it is too uncomfortable, take it off.”

What about cloth masks with filters?

A large filter that fits over your nose and mouth can improve filtration, says Mark Rupp, head of the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. But if the filter covers only a small area, it is probably not very useful. He says filters need to be replaced if it is damp or dirty. Dr. Volckens recommends masks with a permanent built-in filter.

I have an N95. Should I wear it?

More experts recommend wearing an N95 if you have one to better protect against new variants, though the CDC has said it should be reserved for medical workers. Legal N95s can be difficult for ordinary consumers.

The risk level of your environment is important, says Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. You probably do not need to carry an N95 if you are going for a walk with a friend or to the playground outside. But if you work indoors in a restaurant or grocery store or go to an indoor place with a lot of people, it’s a good idea to wear one.

In hospitals, N95s are carefully equipped. So look for leaks around your face, says Rachael Mary Jones, associate professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah. “You have to pinch the metal surface at the top of the nose very tightly, until it feels uncomfortable, so that it adapts to the shape of your face,” says Dr. Jones.

But if you find tight N95s unbearably uncomfortable, avoid them because you are more likely to pick them up, says Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

What is the difference between an N95, KN95 and KF94? Is one better than the other?

Dr. Allen says a short headline to N95s is KF94s, a mask certified in South Korea that American consumers can easily find online. “We can have a lot of confidence in these masks,” says Dr. Allen. “They capture 94% of the particles and are much more comfortable.”

Another popular option is the KN95 masks, the Chinese equivalent of an N95. Dr. However, Allen warns that there are a significant number of fake KN95s on the market. “These masks affect me because if you do not do your homework, you may end up with a mask that is worse than a cloth mask,” says Dr. Allen. The. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns against KN95s from China unless their manufacturer has certification from the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Should I worry about imitation N95s, KF94s or surgical masks?

In the US, NIOSH certifies the companies that manufacture N95 respirators, which must have an approved label on or inside the packaging. If there is no mark or TC number or NIOSH is misspelled, it is a red flag.

So far, experts say they are not aware of the major falsification of KF94s or standard surgical masks, but it is prudent to be vigilant about labeling.

How effective are the widely available blue surgical masks?

The filtration of blue surgical masks may vary. Look for ASTM certification on surgical mask boxes. “It is very good to filter out aerosols of all sizes,” says Dr. Marr. Level two and three are especially good.

The downside of surgical masks is that they do not fit most faces. “It’s just a rectangle and you try to fit it in your face, so there are inevitably gaps on the side so it leaks like crazy,” says Dr Marr. This is where double masking can be helpful.

How can I tell if my mask fits well?

If you inhale, press the mask with the airflow into or in your face. You can also breathe. There should be no air gaps on the sides of your mask.

If your glasses fade, it means that air escapes at the top of your mask at the bridge of the nose, says dr. Volckens. If you are not wearing glasses, wear sunglasses to see if they fade.

Another good test: stand in front of a mirror and exhale strongly. Did you cut? If so, it means air hits your eyelids and escapes around the mask.

Apart from double masking, are there other ways to improve my mask’s fit?

Dr. Marr says that mask decorators, although ugly, can make a big difference and improve the performance of a looser fitting mask, such as a surgical mask.

Metal nose bridges also help improve the fit, as well as straps around the back of the head, says Dr. Marr. Mask holders – small clips that attach to the ruffles and wrap around your head – are also useful.

Many of these masks – such as N95s, KN95s, KF94s and surgical masks – are supposed to be for single use only, but people often reuse them. How many times can I wear it and how do I store it between uses?

Some scientists say such masks can be worn until they are visibly dirty or damaged. According to dr. Jones, the filtration by various uses will not be degraded; it can fit.

Store disposable masks that you want to wear dry and away from other items, such as in a paper bag or Tupperware, or hang them somewhere, experts say.

Do not use chemical disinfectants on masks. “If you spray chemicals on your mask, you will inhale the chemicals,” says Dr. Volckens. And do not wash N95s, as this can damage their electrical filtration capacity, he warns.

What kind of mask should children wear?

Dr. Gandhi says children usually do not have to double the mask. There are smaller surgical masks and KF94s that are good for children, but any well-fitting cloth mask will have an advantage.

Avoid masks that children have to pull down a lot. “Ease is the key to this population,” says Dr Gandhi. “Fit should be tight, but should be spoken of course.”