An infectious disease expert has warned that wearing two masks “can do more harm” if one of the face masks is not worn correctly.
Michael Osterholm, who was an adviser to President Joe Biden’s transition team, said the problem occurs with masks that have an “already weakened fit or filtration ability” so that respiratory droplets can escape from the holes.
‘If you add another mask, it can make the air harder to move through the two-cloth area, and then at that point it can cause more air to leak around the edges, increasing your ability to become contaminated. “Osterholm told NBC anchor Chuck Todd on ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday.
Osterholm said there are cases where double masking can be an effective tool against the coronavirus.
‘But at the same time there are many [where] you can do more harm, ”said the director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
Osterholm said what is ‘very important’ to him is to prevent people from wearing the mask under their noses.
“You know, it’s like fixing three of the five screen doors in your submarine,” he said.
“We have to lead people to use it properly, it will help a lot,” he added.
Anthony Fauci, White House coronavirus adviser, said two masks were “probably … more effective.”