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As new variants of COVID-19 emerge potentially more contagious, specialists say masks are more important than ever because they will reduce the spread of the virus regardless of the variant.
“The variations do not affect the type of mask you should wear. It affects the importance of wearing a mask and making sure you have a good fit,” Dr. Stanley Weiss, epidemiologist and professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Rutgers School of Public Health, told ABC News.
The key, experts say, is to wear a properly fitted mask and wear it consistently. In some cases this may mean wearing an extra mask if it is tolerable, but for most it is not necessary. So keep it simple and make sure your mask completely covers your mouth and nose and keep it on when you can’t get far enough
“The critical problem is that a lot of people don’t wear the mask correctly. Some people have a mask that falls off their nose,” Weiss said. “They also need a well-fitting mask along the nose to get a good seal. If you feel air escaping or your glasses mist up from your mask, it is not going well, and in these situations, using a second mask to get a tighter seal might make more sense. “
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a mask should completely cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of your face, have no gaps, and have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric.
Leading US infectious disease specialist Dr Anthony Fauci said the CDC’s recommendations were clear.
“What they’re saying is, ‘You know what would be a good start? If everyone is wearing at least one mask, “Fauci said in an interview with Fox News Wednesday. “I think it would be important.”
Widespread vaccinations, constant airflow and people spread over 6 feet would all have a huge impact on slowing the spread of the virus, including new variants, and masks are also part of that plan.
“It’s not a perfect solution to the pandemic, but the value of using the mask has been proven time and time again,” said Dr David Hirschwerk, infectious disease specialist at Northwell Health, Manhasset. “The CDC continues to recommend the use of face coverings that have two or three layers of washable, breathable fabric.”
Two or three layers of fabric that fit your face perfectly are better than a loose bandana or a DIY pattern that you left behind from the curtains.
Yet some experts suggest that more is more.
“There is some suggestion that wearing a double mask, which you certainly saw a lot in full screen at the unveiling, might offer better protection,” ABC News chief medical correspondent said, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, on “Good Morning America” this week. “You have to balance that with the ability to breathe.”
Dr Michael Calderwood, an infectious disease physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, said the most important thing was to stick to the plan: constant use of the mask.
“Increasing the number of masks either by layering something on another mask or wearing N95 masks over another mask leads to a lot of moving the masks, touching the mask, removing the mask, and is going to be counterproductive,” said Calderwood.
An N95 mask filters 95% of airborne particles and, if worn correctly, it is the gold standard, but it is not recommended for the average person as there is a shortage and has certain requirements to make them work.
“N95s are respirators and are ‘tested’ for healthcare workers and are used in COVID-19 patients for aerosol-generating procedures. They can be uncomfortable if worn for long periods of time, ”said Dr. Rachel Lee, assistant professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The key to the right mask choice is to find a balance between comfort, fit and level of filtration.
“Wearing an appropriate mask with the proper fit has been effective at this point in the pandemic and will continue to be so,” said Dr. John O’Horo, infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic. “If a mask doesn’t fit properly, for example, if it’s loose around the nose, you’d better get a mask with a nasal thread to help with the seal than an N95 mask.”
Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program and associate professor at the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard, agrees with the CDC’s recommendations, but also said other risk factors need to be considered, such as whether or not you are outside or inside.
“If you’re going for a walk with a friend outside, a two- or three-layer mask is perfect. If you’re an essential worker or find yourself indoors for long periods of time, then you’re going to want to find one. mask offering a higher level of protection, a minimum three-layer surgical mask. “
Mishal Reja, MD, is a new gastroenterology fellow at SUNY Downstate and contributes to the ABC News medical unit.
Eric Strauss contributed to this report.
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