How to line the mask

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• One of the best protections against COVID-19 aside from social distancing is wearing a properly fitted mask.
• If you only have a single-layer or loose mask, it may be a good idea to wear two at a time.
• To double up, wear one cloth mask over another or wear a cloth mask over a surgical mask.
• This article has been medically reviewed by Aimee Desrosiers, PA-C, MS, MPH, an infectious disease physician assistant in Washington, DC.

The CDC strongly recommends (and has even mandated) the widespread wearing of masks in public, saying it is essential to slow the spread of COVID-19. But as more is learned about the pandemic and the transmission of the virus, health officials have started to advocate not only for wearing one mask, but also for wearing two.

The most notable advice for double masking comes from Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the nation’s leading infectious disease specialist, who said it made sense to think that two masks are better than one. If you’ve watched the 2021 presidential inauguration, you’ve probably seen plenty of examples of double-masking, including poet Amanda Gorman’s avant-garde combo.

Why double-masking can be a smart decision

Experts have long said that when it comes to masks, it’s best to have more layers, as long as you can still breathe well. But something important changed at the start of 2021.

“You hear more about double-masking in the media and by healthcare professionals because [COVID-19] the variants are more easily transmitted, and with the level of infection we have right now, any kind of extra protection can be helpful, ”said Edgar Sanchez, MD, an infectious disease physician at Orlando Health, to Insider.

That said, many public health experts themselves don’t wear two masks, as Hilary Brueck reports for Insider. While experts say double masking could theoretically be useful overall, there are a few things that are much more important than doubling.

“Getting more people to wear one mask is more important than getting one person to wear two masks,” said Dr Sanchez. This may partly explain why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hasn’t officially changed their guidelines to recommend double masking.

Second, a quality, well-fitting, multi-layered mask is better than wearing two ill-fitting masks. Your mask should fit snugly over your nose and fit snug against your cheeks and chin with no gaps. If a mask is causing your glasses or sunglasses to fume, it’s actually a sign that it’s not fitting properly and is allowing respiratory droplets to escape from the top, Dr Abe said. Malkin, Founder and Medical Director of Concierge MD LA, at Insider.

Masks with adjustable noses can sometimes help create a better fit, and those with two (or preferably three) layers with tightly woven fabric are best for filtering out viral particles. According to the CDC, this means that when held up to the light, these masks do not allow light to filter through.

Always, wearing two masks can add protection, and in some situations public health experts and infectious physicians recommend it.

To help you out, I have consulted with a number of doctors on how to double face mask and the best base and top layer masks to do it. I’ve also included an overview of the best practices for double masking and how to apply them correctly.

Here’s how to line the mask and face masks you need to do it: