The concept of double masking is now backed by some health studies and with the second Covid-19 boom gripping India, health experts are recommending people to wear two masks instead of one to increase the protection levels to as much as 95%. As we know, the rate of current virus spread is fast and to prevent it, maximum protection is needed. So, experts suggest that one should wear two masks – one disposable and above it a cloth mask.
Studies by the University of North Carolina’s health care provider suggest that wearing two marks will double the effectiveness of filtering out SARS-CoV-2 particles. “The masks for medical procedures are designed to have a very good filtering potential based on their material, but the way they fit our faces is not perfect,” said Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, associate professor of infectious diseases. told the UNC School of Medicine. .
In the first wave, a single mask, when worn properly, was perfect enough to contain the risk of infection. But the situation has changed drastically. For the CDC study, researchers placed two models six feet apart to see how many particles are released from one and inhaled by the other. When the models wore one mask, it blocked 40 percent of the particles, compared to more than 80 percent in those who wore two masks.
But if you are wearing a real N95 mask, you should avoid double masking. Experts have advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States. The experts suggest that double masking is needed in places like shopping malls, hospitals, indoor spaces with poor ventilation and public transportation like bus, subway. In a society where people who are apathetic to wear one mask are now recommended to wear two. And there is a good chance that people will reject the idea of double masking.
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