What you need for an effective double mask

Now putting on a mask is as automatic as putting on shoes before going outside. But it's time to update your routine. With the latest recommendation from the CDC (and White House Surgeon General Dr. Anthony Fauci) to wear two masks or "double mask" to stay safe among new coronavirus variants, purchasing the right face masks seems more urgent than ever. The winning combination seems to be a surgical mask - three-layer, traditionally blue masks - under a cloth mask. Together, they are almost as effective as N95s, which are often in short supply, and offer more protection than just a cloth or surgical mask on their own.

Dharushana Muthulingam, MD, an infectious disease physician and public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, tells Vogue that part of the reason for double masking is that not all masks are created equal. “Research has shown that some masks are better than others. Adding more layers to reduce transmission seems intuitive,” she says. According to Muthulingam, double masking is a smart approach to enhancing protection, and “research supports this. Specifically, the group studying masks recommended wearing a well-fitted cloth mask over a surgical mask, creating additional filter layers as well as a tight fit."

How useful is double masking? Muthulingam tells Vogue that “double masking can be 70% to 90% effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19. This is closer to the effectiveness of N95 masks, which are still in very short supply. In comparison, a surgical or cloth mask on its own can be about 50% effective.” The downside to double camouflage is the inverse relationship between efficiency and breathability. “Double masking is not always possible or convenient for all people. This may be especially true in warm weather.” If home is in a warmer climate, Muthulingam advises thinking of double masking as an additional tool, “performed continuously if possible, or reserved for specific high-risk exposures. During a power surge or in high-risk situations, such as on public transport, double masking can provide an additional layer of protection.”

Even as COVID-19 vaccinations roll out to millions of people, masking is still important for your health and the health of those around you. And while the vaccine prevents infection, Muthulingam shared with Vogue that the jury is still out on how well it prevents transmission. For now, the best thing to do is continue social distancing, wash your hands, and start double masking with a surgical mask underneath and a cloth mask on top. The good news is that your favorite stylish sheet masks don't need to be ditched, just upgraded. As Muthulingam notes, “while each tool (masking, distancing, handwashing) is imperfect on its own, when combined, protection can be significant.”

Source: vogue.com