Masks have been encouraged since the beginning of the pandemic to provide protection against the rapidly spreading coronavirus. But as new variants of the virus began to spread at more alarming rates, people began to look for other ways to ensure that they were fully protected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their mask guidelines to endorse double masking, the idea that wearing two masks layered on top of each other ensures better protection against COVID. However, the CDC has made some stipulations in its updated guidelines. When it comes to overlaying your masks, there are some types of masks that should not be used. Read on to find out which masks you can’t use the double mask with and for more essential mask guidance, if you see this on your mask, the FDA says to play it right away.
The CDC says that you should not put two disposable masks together.
When applying masking layers, the CDC explicitly says that you should not use two disposable masks. Why? In fact, it won’t help protect you anymore. According to the CDC, “disposable masks are not designed to fit well and using more than one does not improve fit”. For a mask to be well fitted, it must be placed over the nose, under the chin and against the cheeks, without leaving spaces. And for more mask recommendations to be followed, the CDC warns against using these 6 face masks.
But you can use disposable masks to create layers with another type of mask.
However, you can create layers of disposable masks with other masks. The CDC recommends people a double mask, using a disposable mask under a cloth mask. In doing so, “the second mask should push the edges of the inner mask against your face,” explained the agency. Previous research has also endorsed this specific order of layers.
A January 21 study published in the journal Cell said people should “wear a cloth mask firmly on top of a surgical mask where the surgical mask acts as a filter, and the cloth mask provides an additional layer of filtration while improving fit.” As long as both masks fit well, the researchers found that this could prevent the spread of the coronavirus with more than 90 percent effectiveness. At the same time, the researchers clarified that reversing the order of the mask can alter the fit and make it less effective. And for other ways your mask might not be as protective, if your mask doesn’t have these 4 things, buy a new one, says the doctor.
The CDC also says that you should not create layers of KN95 masks.
The CDC also warns against the double mask with KN95 masks. According to the agency, you should not combine a KN95 mask with any other mask, nor should you place another KN95 mask on top of a KN95 mask. Better life contacted the CDC for further explanation of this stipulation, but has not yet received a response. And for more news about the coronavirus, the CDC says that you no longer need to do this after being vaccinated.
Experts say that there are some reasons why you should not wear KN95 masks when using the double mask.
Paul Hickey, president of PuraVita Medical, a company that makes KN95 masks, said the layers of KN95 masks can be dangerous. “KN95 masks are designed to work as respirators,” he said. “A respirator is designed to create an airtight seal around your face, so that you just breathe in the air that enters the respirator material and the air that you breathe out only passes through the respirator material. So if you apply a double layer of a KN95 respirator or an N95 respirator, you will have difficulty breathing and therefore yes, it can be dangerous. Respirators are designed to have only one layer and not two batteries. “
On the other hand, Sam Barone, MD, medical director of BioPharma and president of Halodine, said that layering another mask with a KN95 can also negatively affect the fit of the KN95 mask – which has already been designed to be extraordinarily effective. “The N95 and KN95 masks are designed to filter 95 percent of the aerosol particles through a tight fit provided by proper use. Placing another mask over these masks would alter the fit and could result in less effectiveness,” explained Barone. And to learn more about the spread of coronavirus, this is where you are most likely to get COVID, says the new study.
The CDC says that double masking can make mask protection almost 40% more effective.
Along with these updated guidelines for endorsing double masking, the CDC published a study on this method on February 10. According to the study, when someone is wearing a cloth mask over a disposable surgical mask, it reduces their exposure to contaminated materials. aerosol particles by about 90 percent. In comparison, a surgical mask alone blocks only 56 percent of the particles when subjected to a simulated cough, while a tissue mask alone blocks 51 percent. And for the most up-to-date information, subscribe to our daily newsletter.
Double masking is not a requirement, however.
President Joe Biden It recently made it mandatory to wear a mask while traveling, and according to the CDC report, 38 states and Washington DC currently have a mask mandate. So, now you need to wear two masks? According to the White House COVID consultant Anthony Fauci, MD, no. The updated CDC guidelines are simply a recommendation on how to obtain additional protection. “What the CDC is saying [is] at the very least, wear a mask. That is all [the CDC is] saying. A mask at least, but if you really want to be sure, use a second mask, “said Fauci during an interview on February 11 at Today. And for an insight into the future of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci says that you should be able to do this by April.