As new highly transmissible strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus gain prominence, experts are asking the public to cut back on the use of masks. Literally. Many medical professionals, including the White House chief COVID advisor Anthony Fauci, MD, now advocates not using a face mask, but two, creating a second physical barrier between you and the harmful respiratory droplets or aerosols. But if you choose layers of masks, researchers warn that it is important Like you layer them. A recent study published in the journal Cell found that to obtain “maximum protection” with a surgical mask and a cloth mask, it is essential to place one mask on top of the other. Read more on how to make the double mask in the most effective way and more essential news about facial masks, see This type of mask is “unacceptable”, warns the Mayo Clinic.
According to the study, getting the most out of wearing the mask is simple: “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 improves fit “, advises the study. “If the masks fit well,” the researchers say that this strategy should prevent transmission of COVID with more than 90 percent effectiveness. However, reversing the order of the masks by placing a more bulky tissue mask under a surgical mask can significantly alter the fit, making it less effective.
One of the study authors, Linsey Marr, PhD, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech, recently said The Washington Post that, in the absence of a medical-grade mask, such as a KN95 or N95, people can obtain the “best and simplest protection” by wearing a cloth mask firmly over a surgical mask.
Looking for other hacks to make your mask more effective? Read on for more tips on how to get the most out of wearing the mask. And to totally avoid facial coverings, see The CDC warns against using these 6 face masks.
One of the easiest ways to ensure a proper fit of the mask is to tighten the ear straps by tying them or buy cloth masks with adjustable straps.
According to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, you must take special care to ensure that this modification of the mask does not create any extra air space where aerosols can enter. “Make sure that the knot is behind the ear and do not pull the upper and lower sides together, as this will open a space for air to enter and exit”, explain the experts. And for more guidance on the mask, find out why doing this to your mask can make it less protected, experts warn.
Another useful hack comes from Sabrina Paseman and Megan Duong, both former Apple employees who decided to face the lack of medical masks. Before patenting this innovative face mask that uses the same concept, they initially shared a DIY model that requires only three rubber bands to give an “N95 level” surgical mask effectiveness.
Start simply by creating a chain with the three rubber bands, connecting them. After putting on the surgical mask, stretch the central elastic so that it is well sealed around the nose and mouth. Then, stretch the remaining two rubber bands around the ears to keep them in place. For complete step-by-step instructions, you can watch this video. And to find out which mask alternatives to avoid, check the CDC says that you shouldn’t use one of these instead of a face mask.
If your face mask has air spaces, folding and sewing these spaces can increase the effectiveness of the mask. In fact, several doctors have published their own useful techniques, which you can follow to make simple and safe adjustments. Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, MD, head of the infectious disease division at Cambridge Health Alliance in Cambridge, Massachusetts, shared his reaction to a popular hack with Today, which you can watch here. And to receive more regular COVID news directly in your inbox, subscribe to our daily newsletter.
It is important to clean the mask regularly, but drying can be even more important. After all, using very high heat is one of the best ways to make sure you are killing germs.
However, drying your mask to 130 degrees Fahrenheit from killing COVID can cause shrinkage in an ordinary dryer, and this can cause adjustment problems. One way to get around this problem is to wash, air dry and then apply the mask. This high, direct heat will certainly eliminate any pathogens, in addition to helping pleated masks to maintain their intended shape. And to learn more about a common mistake in caring for your face mask, see The CDC says this is how often you need to wash your mask.