NYC Department of Health recommends double masking to fight COVID

The New York Department of Health is now recommending that residents of the Big Apple wear two face masks instead of one to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“We know that even if the vaccine is there, the need to continue to wear a mask is essential, it is crucial. It’s amazing how much all of the things we’ve learned in this crisis, perhaps the deepest is the power of a mask, ”de Blasio said during a press briefing Thursday in the town hall as the new mask was announced.

“Even one of those paper masks makes a huge difference, but what we’re saying today is it’s time to double down,” Hizzoner said.

“Two masks are better than one. Make a duplicate.

The new face covering the city’s Department of Health guidelines comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its own guidelines, saying adding layers of material to a mask “is a good way. reduce the number of respiratory droplets containing the virus that pass through the mask. “

“One layering strategy is to use a fabric mask that has multiple layers of fabric. Another strategy is to wear two masks or a ‘double mask’, ”says the CDC.

City health commissioner Dr Dave Chokshi said guiding the department double mask is based on CDC guidelines.

“The most important thing remains: wearing a face covering consistently and correctly so that it covers both your nose and your mouth and you wear it inside and out,” Chokshi said Thursday. speaking alongside Blasio.

But, added Chokshi, “Using two masks is more effective in stopping the spread of the virus.”

Chokshi said people should wear a cloth mask over a disposable mask when doubling up – rather than putting two disposable masks on top of each other.

“Two of the disposable masks will not improve the fit,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Chokshi suggested that people 65 and older and those with underlying illnesses should “consider” using a premium face mask like a KN95.

The city’s latest data shows the Big Apple has a coronavirus positivity rate of 7.17% on a seven-day moving average.

These data also show that 262 people were admitted to hospitals in the city with suspected COVID-19 on Tuesday and 57% of them tested positive for the bug.

The seven-day moving average of new virus cases in the city was 3,216, the data showed.