Recent events have left some questions as to whether they should use two masks instead of one, or whether there should be a specification for the masks being used.
As of Monday, the Austrian government is demanding that all residents use N95s in retail stores and supermarkets, and on public transport. He says that cotton and fabric masks are not enough.
The idea of double masking really became apparent during Washington’s events this week. Some political officials were doing this, like ex-presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. White House press secretary Jen Psaki also doubled up at her first press conference.
A New York Times report last week suggested that it would be a good idea to get everyone to use the N95s. They are designed to block 95% of the small particles.
Dr. Jake Deutsch, an emergency physician and medical director for New York City’s CURE Urgent Care, told NY1 that if you don’t have a mask like the N95, a second coat is always useful.
“Having a less favorable mask, maybe just a surgical mask or something you did at home, putting on a second layer or barrier as an extra layer of protection is never a bad thing,” said Deutsch.
“We want to make the air move in a pattern that is a kind of ripple, twist and rotation to block the particles, and the finer the degree of the material, the less likely the particles we are concerned about with viruses will travel, two layers will be just a second layer of protection to prevent this transmission ”, he continued.
Deutsch also said that regardless of how many masks someone wears, the important thing is how they are worn, how to make sure the nose is covered.
“When it comes to masking, it’s as good as the level of protection you have, and whether you’re wearing something sophisticated like an N95 or just a piece of fabric, what really matters is how you’re wearing it and the circumstances under which you allow this barrier to work, ”he said.
Unmasking correctly is also important. Deutsch said the masks should be removed from the side, not the nose down, to avoid exposing any possible virus particles from the mask to the face.
He also said that cloth masks should be washed every day and adjusted properly.