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Raleigh, North Carolina – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you should double the wearing of masks.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina put that idea to the test, conducting trials to see what additional protection, if any, double-masking would provide. Friday morning, they released their findings.
In a briefing, they shared their research on the overall effectiveness of masks, the importance of mask fit, and the added benefits of double-masking.
Fit is most important
“You really have to be concerned with the fit and make sure everything you wear is snug against your face,” said Dr. Phillip Clapp, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics.
According to Clapp, just making sure that only one mask is installed can increase efficiency by 20%.
A mask that is not installed allows air and aerosols to pass through spaces, decreasing protection against COVID.
Double masking offers increased protection
Tests have shown that double masking offers increased protection, provided the masks are installed.
“With double masking, we have seen an increase of 15% [in protection], just through a double-masking procedure or surgical masks, ”Clapp said.
Additionally, double masking can provide additional protection, depending on how the wearer layers their mask.
For example, layering a fabric mask over a surgical mask has shown an increase in efficiency of about 40%. However, overlaying a surgical mask over a fabric mask did not provide similar protection.
The mask frames, which help ensure a good snug fit, also provided additional benefits.
However, even double-masking doesn’t compare to wearing an N-95 mask.
But wearing two surgical masks and adding a frame or splint around the face to prevent leakage and create a good fit, achieved 97% effectiveness in a single test.
In short, extra layers provide extra protection – but it’s very important to make sure your mask fits, otherwise the leak will allow aerosols to pass through.
Finally, Dr Emily Sickbert-Bennett, Director of Infection Prevention at UNC, touched on the most important type of “double masking”.
“The most important ‘double-masking’ is when you and the person you are both wearing a mask,” she said.
So whether or not you decide to double-mask, one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID is to simply wear at least one mask.
Is wearing a mask or “double masking” dangerous?
Some people worry about whether or not wearing a mask might lower their oxygen levels. So could double-masking have a potential downside?
Clapp and Sickbert-Bennett said they don’t think this is a problem.
Clapp said what worries people is breathing their own air, which increases carbon dioxide and lowers oxygen.
However, he said, these concerns are not supported by the science of how masks work.
“When you wear a mask, the volume of air inside that breathing space is very low. So when I take a breath, I take in air from the outside, ”he says.
That’s the whole point of masks, he explained. They are intended to filter particles from the outside air when you breathe air through the masks.
“So you are bringing in fresh air on top of the small amount of air that you have exhaled before,” he said.
Sickbert-Bennett said, “From all of our fellow doctors who have reported this, this is not going to be a problem.”
When can we stop wearing masks?
Since COVID is transmitted through respiratory droplets, masks are essential to prevent the spread.
“By consistently wearing masks, I think this is the best way to end the pandemic,” Sickbert-Bennett said.
She said when transmission slows down, the community can re-evaluate when it’s time to put our masks on for good.
Until then, we can increase our protection by making sure our masks are snug – and, if we wish, double masking.
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