Preventing covid-19 by wearing double-masks

By Leilani Patino
El Rodeo Staff Writer

    On Wednesday, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made a new report that many experts were contemplating in the past. Wearing double-masking does help prevent COVID-19. Wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask protects more from catching COVID-19. 

The CDC says to make sure the mask fits snug against your face and a cloth mask that has 2 layers. They did do studies comparing how well different methods blocked particles: no mask, a surgical mask, and a cloth mask. 

All methods were exposed to infectious aerosols. It was proven that wearing any type of mask is better than wearing no mask at all and best-fitted masks had the greatest performance of best blockage from aerosols from both the giver and receiver.

Masks are required on planes, trains, buses, and other public transportations traveling into, in, or out of the U.S.

More guidance to improve the fit of your masks:

• Wear a mask with a nose wire. This helps prevent air from coming out at the top of the mask. 
  
• Use a mask fitter or brace over your mask to prevent air from leaking out. 
  
• Make sure your mask fits snug around your nose, mouth, and chin. 
  
• Add layers of material by wearing layers of fabric, or a disposable mask under a cloth mask.
  

    Although double-masking does help prevent COVID-19, double-masking is not safe for all types of masks. For example, KN95 masks are to be worn alone and not with another mask under or over. 

    Disposable masks are not to be double-masked because they are not designed to fit tightly.