A leading infectious disease expert has warned that the use of two masks can “do more damage” if one of the facial covers is not being used correctly.
Michael Osterholm, who was an adviser to President Joe Biden’s transition team, said the problem occurs with masks that have an “already compromised fit or filterability”, allowing the respiratory droplets to escape from the orifices.
“If you add another mask, it can really make it harder for air to move through the area of the two tissues and at that point, it causes more air to leak out through the sides, which really increases your ability to become infected,” Osterholm said to NBC anchor Chuck Todd at “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
Osterholm said there are cases where double masking can be an effective tool against coronavirus.
“But at the same time, there are many [where] you can do more harm, ”said the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
Osterholm said that what is “very important” to him is preventing people from wearing the mask under their nose.
“You know, this is like fixing three of the five screen doors on your submarine,” he said.
“We need to get people to start using them in the right way, which would help a lot,” he added.
White House coronavirus consultant Dr. Anthony Fauci said that two masks are “probably … more effective”.