Is It Time To Double Face Masks To Help Fight COVID-19 Variants?

With new variants of the coronavirus crossing the United States, and even parts of Texas, there have been jokes that claim wearing two face masks is better than one.

Some medical experts told the Washington Post this week that having the extra mask and increasing your protection against the virus will help lower your risk of contracting COVID-19, or one of its variants in the UK, South Africa. South or Brazil.

However, the CDC has not issued any official guidance on wearing two face masks instead of one, and, according to Dr Ruth Berggren, with UT Health San Antonio, there are no medical studies to prove this at this time.

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Dr Berggren said in an interview with KSAT 12 that two face masks might not be needed. Instead, just make sure you have two or three layers in your face mask and follow the three W’s – Wear mask, Wsix feet away from others, and Wash your hands.

“I don’t think double masking is the answer – it’s 3W,” said Dr Berggren. “You don’t need to have two masks to be safe. You just need to have a good mask.

“At least a double layer of masks, not a single layer of stretch material. Two or three coats, ”added Dr Berggren.

With these new virus variants, you might be wondering how safe the face masks you’ve been using for the past year really are.

To begin with, make sure your mask covers your nose and mouth. If you wear a mask halfway, covering only your mouth, it offers little protection for you and those around you, according to Dr. Berggren.

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“[It’s] totally ineffective. It’s like you’re not wearing a mask at all, ”said Dr Berggren.

It is also important to keep in mind how well your mask fits. If it is loose or has a large gap on the sides, it might prompt you to wear a second mask.

“If your mask has a big gap on the side, that’s a problem. You either have to work on its fit or use a second mask for this, ”said Dr Berggren.

The CDC has a few other tips for you to determine which masks are the safest to use.

Of:

• Have at least two layers of washable and breathable fabric

• Make sure to cover your nose and mouth with the mask

• The sides of your mask should fit snugly around your face with no gaps

Not to do:

• Use masks made from hard-to-breathe fabric, such as vinyl

• Do not use masks with exhalation valves or vents, which can allow virus particles to escape

• Are intended for healthcare workers, such as N95s or surgical masks

For more information on what the CDC recommends for face masks, click here.

Yes, some of the variants have already made their way to Texas, according to a recent Associated Press report.

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As of Jan. 19, health officials reported a case of the UK variant, or B.1.1.7, in Dallas County. Another case was confirmed in Houston on January 7.

None of the variants proved to be more lethal. However, they are much more transmissible, say medical experts.

Dr Berggren said that while reports have not officially confirmed that cases of variants have been found in San Antonio, she believes there is a good chance they are already there.

“We know they were found in Houston and we believe they are here,” Dr. Berggren said.

Fortunately, Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines are still considered effective against these new strains of COVID-19. And boosters can also be developed to help fight the vaccine response.

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For now, health officials urge you to continue to follow existing public health guidelines and not let your guard down.

You can watch Dr. Berggren’s full interview here.

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