Double Masking. This trend created a buzz during and after the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of the USA, Biden and his team. Many politicians, celebrities, and VIPs at this function were seen with double masks covering their face. Why?
Double masking and the USA
Coronavirus has been creating havoc in this world now for the last more than a year. People were wearing face masks and following hand hygiene and social distancing. But now more infectious strains of the virus have been detected in the UK, South Africa, and several other countries. The ones in the UK are 70% more contagious than the first coronavirus strain.
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| Double masking (Source: NBC News) |
Hence, in order to give people a stronger protection from the deadly virus, double masking is recommended. This would protect the person more effectively from the more virulent strains of Covid-19. Dr Anthony Fauci, US infectious disease expert revealed this. He added:
“That’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95."
Double masking and its use and effectiveness
US doctors feel that double masking would help since the virus would find it difficult to penetrate the two layers compared to one layer. This is logic. But no clinical studies have been done to prove this hypothesis. Neither have CDC or WHO put out any statements on it yet.
Medical journals state that wearing a“high-quality surgical mask or a fabric mask of at least two layers with high thread count”.
Some state that surgical mask with a cloth mask on top of ot is better than just one of them. Both filter the virus better and cloth mask makes the whole assembly a good fit. Lindsey Marr, a virus transmission expert told US NGO AARP:
“A mask is like an obstacle course for particles to get through,”
“Adding a second mask adds another obstacle course, increasing the chance that the particle will be trapped before it gets through to the other side.”
Where is double masking recommended?
It is best to have double face masks on in places where social distancing is difficult to achieve. These include planes, stores that are busy with many customers, and at large gatherings. It gives extra protection that is welcome. N95 masks are best but next best is surgical and overlying cloth mask. A study in Matter said:
“We found that the particle removal efficiency of many surgical style masks could be improved by up to 50% by simply snugging the mask material to the face [with another mask],”
“In the lab, we did this by adding a nylon stocking, but also tested other elastic layers such as gators and tights and found that they also solved the problem of cutting off air leaking in from around the mask,”
Many countries such as Germany have asked its residents to opt for medical-grade or surgical mask in public transport and supermarkets. Duke University study had earlier said that a disposable surgical mask made out of a plastic-derived material called polypropylene is the next best choice after the N95 respirator with no valve. Other studies have said that a multi-layer cloth mask is as good as a surgical mask. But both together is more effective, say researchers.
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