Putting on a face mask is something that almost all of us do every day to protect ourselves against Covid-19. But advice on the best types and how to use them has changed over time.
Now, in the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, is encouraging Americans to wear “double masks” – that is, to wear two facial covers on top of each other.
“It makes sense that it is probably more effective,” he said.
President Biden used to wear two covers during the campaign, and in his inauguration last week, some important guests were seen wearing medical masks under the facial cloth covers.
What is behind this advice?
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet advised the double mask, although they do recommend a mask with “two or more layers of washable and breathable fabric.”.
Facial coatings with more layers, and tightly interlaced, are better because they block more particles. Medical-grade masks also offer more protection to the wearer than normal fabric coverings for the face.
Virginia Tech University researchers found
applying layers of two facial tissue covers on top of each other has improved efficiency from 50% to about 75% – and the use of a medical grade mask under a facial tissue cover has made particle filtering even more effective.
But the research is still at a very early stage and has been largely carried out under laboratory conditions, not in the real world.
The World Health Organization does not currently recommend
using two masks.
Read more about masks.