The New York City Department of Health now recommends that Big Apple residents wear two face masks instead of one to fight the spread of COVID-19.
“We know that even with the vaccine here, the need to continue wearing a mask is paramount, it is essential. It is incredible how all the things we have learned in this crisis, perhaps the most profound is the power of a mask ”, said de Blasio during a press conference at the City Hall on Thursday, when the new orientation of the mask was announced.
“Even one of these paper masks makes a big difference, but what we’re saying today is that it’s time to fold,” said Hizzoner.
“Two masks are better than one. Make a double. “
The new face that covers the city’s Department of Health guidelines comes after the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated their own guidelines, saying adding more layers of material to a mask “is a good way to reduce the number respiratory droplets containing the virus that passes through the mask. “
“A layered strategy is to use a fabric mask with several layers of fabric. Another strategy is to use two masks or a ‘double mask’ ”, says the CDC.
The city health commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi, said that department double mask orientation is based on the guidance of the CDC.
“The single most important thing remains – use a facial cover consistently and properly to cover your nose and mouth and you use it both indoors and outdoors,” said Chokshi on Thursday while speaking next to Blasio.
But, Chokshi added, “Using two masks is more effective in preventing the spread of the virus”
Chokshi said people should wear a cloth mask over a disposable mask when folding – instead of putting two disposable masks over one another.
“Two of the disposable masks are not going to improve the fit,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Chokshi suggested that those 65 and older and those with underlying diseases should “consider” using a high-grade face mask like a KN95.
The latest data from the city shows that the Big Apple has a positivity rate for coronavirus of 7.17% on a seven-day moving average.
These data also show that 262 people were admitted to city hospitals with suspected COVID-19 on Tuesday and 57 percent of them tested positive for the bug.
The seven-day average of new virus cases in the city was 3,216, according to the data.