[ad_1]
NEW YORK (Reuters) – When it comes to protecting yourself against new variants of the coronavirus, two masks may be better than one.
Several politicians, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Mitt Romney, have been seen doubling down on the use of face masks, and leading infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has recommended that everyday Americans do the same.
As part of our #AskReuters Twitter chat series, Reuters brought together a group of health experts to answer questions about the coronavirus, including what they consider the “right” way to cover your face.
Doctors, as well as public health professionals, said that any protection is better than nothing.
“The correct type of mask is one that is constantly worn over the nose and mouth when in a public space,” said Dr. Matt Binnicker, president of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology. “At this point, we should focus more on achieving that goal than worrying about double-masking.”
If you choose to layer your masks, here are some tips to consider.
RISK ENVIRONMENT
The type and number of masks you need will depend on where you go, according to Dr. Josh Schiffer, a professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
“It is most critical to mask effectively and consistently when in the highest risk environments for superspreader events,” he said.
Schiffer recommends wearing a cloth mask when walking the dog, for example, and upgrading to a KN95, N95, or double mask when going to the office, grocery store, or clinic.
MATERIAL
“If used correctly, all masks are effective,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University. But the material and fit of a mask can make a bigger difference than the number you wear.
“Double masking is vague because we don’t know what kind of material or accessory,” Gostin said, noting that surgical masks and KN95s work better.
Experts agreed that an effective face mask must be multi-layered. “At this time, the CDC recommends wearing a mask with two or three layers,” said Dr. Raed Dweik, president of the Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute. “If your mask is already multi-layered, you don’t need to double-mask.”
ORDER OF MASKS
When using a double mask, Dr. Charles Holmes, director of the Center for Global Health Innovation at Georgetown University, recommends using the most effective one indoors. For example, you must wear a surgical mask over a KN95 mask or a cloth mask over a surgical mask.
However, Holmes’ biggest advice is to simply cover your face, no matter what it looks like.
“The best mask is one that is worn consistently and properly,” he said.
(Reporting by Beatrix Lockwood; Editing by Lauren Young and Dan Grebler)
[ad_2]
