Does wearing 2 face masks enhance protection against COVID-19? Doctors explain

While some people are again Opposing wearing a face mask in public despite strong evidence that covering the nose and mouth helps protect the wearer and those around him from COVID-19 infection, others are pushing their level of protection even further by doubling up and wearing two.

Layered masks have been spotted on everyone from President-elect Joe Biden to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to essential transit and grocery workers.

But is it really more efficient to wear two masks than to wear one? And is it even safe to layer? We asked experts to intervene.

Is wearing two face masks more protective against COVID-19 than one?

First, there is a lot of science to support wearing a face mask. Research shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that wearing masks can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19 and, subsequently, hospitalizations and deaths from the new coronavirus.

For example, an oft-cited study of two hairdressers with COVID-19 found that none of the 67 clients they worked on for an eight-day period and who consented to the test developed an infection. Stylists and their clients wore masks when interacting. Another study of healthcare workers in Boston found that there was a significant drop in positive coronavirus test results after staff adopt the mask.

“The purpose of using a mask is to create a barrier,” says infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, principal investigator at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “If you are using some kind of fragile mask, a double mask can help.” But he adds that “it’s not something everyone has to do.”

There is no concrete data yet on the additional benefits of double masking, but experts have theories as to when it might be worth considering, especially if you are wearing a non-medical grade face mask ( like most of us).

“Double masking adds an extra layer of filter, making it even harder for virus-infested moisture drops to reach you or spread to others,” says Aline M. Holmes, DNP, RN, Clinical Associate Professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing. She says it could serve as additional protection for people who are in environments at high risk for coronavirus transmission, such as a hospital or nursing home.

It might also be a good idea to double down if you are sick with COVID-19 and want to do all you can to protect other people in your home from the virus. (Note: you should always be isolated from others as much as possible.)

However, many experts “don’t think it’s necessary,” including William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “I’m glad there are people doubly committed to wearing a mask, but it hasn’t been studied,” he says. “Double masking can provide extra protection in either direction, outside or inside, but it’s not officially recommended by anyone at this time.”

Boston GlobeGetty Images

Note: Some doctors layer masks to help protect their precious N95 respirators.

“When I go to a COVID patient’s room, I wear two – an N95 ventilator with a surgical ventilator on it,” says Richard Watkins, MD, infectious disease physician and professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University. “When I go out, I throw out the surgery and keep the N95.” The goal, according to Dr. Watkins, is to help protect his N95 mask for future use, as supplies are limited.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick pictured above and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris pictured below have been seen using this technique, for example. They wear medical grade masks under a fabric covering or surgical mask, most likely to preserve the respirator for future use.

Stefani ReynoldsGetty Images

Is it safe to wear two face masks?

If you choose to wear two masks, it “won’t hurt” as long as you can still breathe easily, says Dr Adalja. If you feel a restriction, you will still have a layer of protection by sticking to a mask.

There also doesn’t seem to be a “right” way to do this or a particular type of mask that works better for this method. “Just make sure the first mask fits snugly over your nose and mouth,” says Dr. Schaffner.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that wearing two face masks doesn’t mean you have to stop walking away from people outside your household and washing your hands thoroughly and frequently. “If you double your mask and still engage in risky behavior, that won’t help,” says Dr Adalja.

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