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One mask protects, two do a better job.
This is the result of a survey published this Wednesday by the Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English) from the United States, which recommended for the first time to use the double protection to prevent “significantly” the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the CDC, placing a fabric mask over a surgical mask, such as disposable blue masks, can block the escape of 92.5% of potentially infectious particles.
“In the study, we found that wearing any type of mask worked much better than not wearing a mask. And well-fitting masks performed best in both blocking emitted aerosols and exposing aerosols.” , said CDC director Rochelle Walensky. .
“We continue to recommend that the masks have two or more layers, completely cover the nose and mouth, and fit comfortably over the nose and sides of the face,” Walensky said.
However, the expert clarified that the experiments carried out only used a fabric mask over a surgical mask, so modifications with other types of face protection are not recommended.
“I want to be clear that this new scientific data released today does not change the specific recommendations on who should wear a mask or when to wear one. But they do provide new insight into why wearing a properly fitted mask is so important to protect yourself and others, ”Walensky said.
Although this is the first CDC-funded research to recommend the use of a double mask, leading US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has previously suggested its use.
“There is nothing wrong with people wearing two masks. I myself often wear two masks,” Fauci said.
Medical authorities in several countries had previously recommended the use of two masks or more effective masks, such as N95, FFP2 or KN95, in the face of new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus.
Attach the masks
In the study conducted at the end of January, the CDC tested two simple modifications to improve the performance of the most commonly used masks:
- Use two masks
- “Tie” the masks
Both methods produced significantly better protection against transmission and exposure to infectious aerosols, according to the CDC.
The study found that ‘tying’ (tying the rubber bands close to the fabric before placing them on our ears) can also improve the overall performance of the masks.
This procedure, according to the researchers, reduces the leakage of particles from both sides of the face, thereby reducing the possibility of infection.
According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a knotted mask can block the escape of 63% of particles that could contain the coronavirus, while protection is reduced to 42% of particles when not tied .
The new recommendations
Based on new evidence from the study, the CDC further recommended:
- Choose a mask with a nasal shape, which prevents air from escaping through the top of the nose. If the mask doesn’t have that kind of fit, you can put one on to prevent air from escaping, Walensky said.
- Check that the mask fits snugly around the nose, mouth and chin: “If the mask fits you well, you will feel warm air entering through the front of the mask and you will be able to see the mask material entering and come out with every breath, ”says the CDC.
- Add layers, either using a multi-layered fabric mask or using a disposable mask under a fabric mask.
- The use of a double mask is not recommended for all masks. According to the CDC, two disposable masks should not be combined: “Disposable masks are not designed to fit well and wearing more than one will not improve the fit.”
- Do not place another mask on any of the KN95 types. “This mask must be worn alone”, according to the US agency.
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