As new, more infectious variants of the novel coronavirus spread around the world, public health officials are advising us to increase mask protection. An easy way to do that is to wear two masks at the same time. Here are answers to common questions about double masking doses and donuts.
Why do I need a double mask?
Newer types of coronavirus are more contagious. It could be that an infected person sheds more of the virus, or it may be that you take less viral particles to get sick. Either way, more infectious viruses mean we need to wear masks that do a good job of trapping infectious particles. Double-masking can improve the fit of your mask by closing the gaps around the edges, and it creates multiple layers of protection from droplets coming in or out.
Can I wear two surgical masks?
Wearing two disposable surgical masks at once is not recommended. A standard surgical mask is a blue, rectangular shaped mask made of paper-like material. While surgical masks are great filters against viral droplets, they fit poorly, leaving gaps on the sides, which reduces their efficiency. Wearing two at the same time does not solve the right problem. Adding a cloth mask to the top of the surgical mask helps close the gaps and create more snug fit. To help you choose a cloth mask, the New York Times-owned Veercutter team has some recommendations. (The mask in the video is Graph Lentz Zenbu Organic Cotton Face Mask.)
Should I double mask with N95 or KN95?
The N95 mask is the gold standard for medical masks, and the KN95, made in China, is similar. When worn properly, both masks will filter out 95 percent of hard-to-trap particles. If you have access to the original N95, KN95 and it fits well, you don’t need to double mask. The problem is that N95 and KN95 masks are still hard to come by, and the supply chain is full of fakes. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend double-masking with N95 or KN95, you need to make sure you have the real thing. If you’re not sure, or it doesn’t fit well, covering it with a cloth mask can help. (Another very effective medical mask is KF9, which is made in Korea. Fake is usually no problem in KF94, and you don’t need to double the mask if it fits you well.)
If I do double-masking, why do I need to tie up my surgical mask and stretch?
The best way to double the mask is to wear a surgical mask like the first layer and cover it with a cloth mask. Your surgical mask does not need to be tightened, but if it fits well, knitting ear loops and tucking in the corner can increase its filtering efficiency by 20 percent. For a long demonstration on adjusting the fit of your surgical mask, you can watch this video from UNC Health.
