Double masking for COVID-19: Why Fauci recommends wearing two masks at once

The latest recommendation on the distribution of COVID-19: double masking. Dr Anthony Fauci endorses double masking, the practice of wearing two face masks because ‘it only makes sense’, the president’s chief medical adviser told NBC News ‘Today’.

He is not wrong. Because layered masks reduce the porosity of your hair face mask, it is more likely to protect you better from infectious respiratory droplets – just as low jackets protect you from the cold and just as an N95 (which is less porous) has a better chance of protecting you from ambient smoke while your cloth mask (more porous) does not stand a chance.

However, it is not just about common sense. The concept of double masking is supported by some scientific studies, and no, wearing two masks will not suffocate you. Here’s what you need to know about wearing two masks to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

The science behind double masking

Dr. Fauci’s recommendation comes in light of new strains of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which is thought to be more transmissible than the primary strain of SARS-CoV-2.

“With a more transmissible virus, it means that each exposure increases the spread,” says Andrea Love, an immunologist and microbiologist. “We now need to be stricter with our behavior, including social distance, to reduce travel to public places, avoid indoor spaces and always wear a mask.”

“But not just any mask will do that,” Love emphasizes. “Quality is important.”

Masks work by capturing and blocking air droplets containing virus particles, Love explains. “The more physical barriers are implemented, the more of these drops you can block, thereby reducing the risk to yourself and others around you,” she says. The more layers, the better, especially if you have a thin layer is ideal cloth face covering. Even if you wear surgical masks, which generally already have two thin layers, you can still benefit from doubling, Love says.

It’s important to understand that cloth masks, such as those worn by most people on a regular basis, were meant to be a stopgap partner, Love says. Many cloth face coverings offer little or no protection, she says, depending on the material, the number of layers and the fit, which is why health experts recommend layers.

In fact, three layers are best: A recent (not yet peer-reviewed) study tested 11 mask materials and found that masks are more protective if they contain three layers, two tightly woven cloth layers with a non-woven, high-efficiency filter material. built-in in-between. If you do not yet have a three-layer mask, you can mimic it by wearing a cloth mask and a surgical mask – more on this below.

When to wear two masks

If you walk outside and are not close to people outside your household, a single mask should suffice, Love says. If you plan to be close to people who are not in your household, even outdoors, ‘is a simple solution to double.’

Will wearing two masks make it difficult to breathe?

Wearing two masks should not make it harder to breathe, Love says. Several studies have shown that wearing masks does not interfere with oxygen consumption (even in adults over 65). “The size of an oxygen molecule is orders of magnitude smaller than the pore sizes of masks,” says Love, but the problem is “many people do not realize the difference between discomfort and a true physiological effect.”

Even with two face masks, you will still get the oxygen you need and expel carbon dioxide from your body. Two masks may not feel comfortable at first, but it is still safe to wear them.

Of course, it can get used to, especially if you wear two masks while exercising. If you get hot again, you may become sweatier than usual. But a little discomfort is much better than taking COVID-19 or being responsible for it.

How to double properly

Wearing just one cloth mask on top of another can improve the protection of your face covering, but another combination can help more.

Wearing a cloth mask on top of a surgical mask can mimic the filter cloth combo, which is more protective in studies. The surgical mask acts as a filter and the cloth mask provides an extra layer of protection while improving the fit, Love says. If you fit two masks well, this combination should give an overall efficiency of more than 90% for particles of 1 micron and larger, which corresponds to the average size of respiratory aerosols that are most important for the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 to mediate. ‘

As dr. Fauci told Today: “If you have one body covering with one layer, you put on another layer, it’s just common sense that it’s likely to be more effective.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.