Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
One mask protects, two do a better job.
That is the result of an investigation published this Wednesday by the Centers for Control and Prevention Disease Disease (CDC), who recommended for the first time to use double protection for prevent “significantly” the spread of coronavirus.
According to the CDC, placing a cloth mask over a surgical-type mask, such as disposable blue ones, can block the escape of 92, 5% of the particles potentially infectious.
“In the study, we found that wearing any type of mask worked significantly better than not wearing a mask. And well-fitting masks provided the best performance in both blocking emitted aerosols and exposing aerosols, ”said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
“We continue to recommend that masks have two or more layers , fully cover the nose and mouth, and fit snugly over the nose and the sides of the face, ”said Walensky.
However, the expert clarified that the experiments carried out used only a cloth mask over a surgical one, so that modifications with other types of face protection are not recommended .
“I want to make it clear that this new scientific data published today does not change the specific recommendations on who should wear a mask or when should wear one. But they provide new information on why wearing a well-fitting mask is so important to protect yourself and others, ”Walensky stated.
Although this is the first investigation Backed by the CDC that recommends wearing a double mask, America’s leading infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci had previously suggested its use.
“There is nothing wrong with people wearing two masks. I myself often wear two masks, ”said Fauci.
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Medical authorities in several countries had previously recommended the use of two masks or more effective masks, such as the N 95, FFP2 or KN 95, faced with the new most contagious variants of coronavirus.
Tie the masks
During the study conducted in late January, the CDC tested two simple modifications to improve the performance of the most commonly used masks:
- Use two masks
- “Tie” the masks
Both methods produced substantially better protection against transmission and exposure to infectious aerosols, according to the CDC.
The study found that “knotting” (knotting elastics close to the fabric before placing them in our ears) can also improve the overall performance of the masks.
This procedure, according to the researchers, reduces the leakage of particles on both sides of the face, thus reducing the possibility of infections.
According to the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a knotted mask can block the escape of the 63% of particles that could contain the coronavirus, while protection is reduced to 42% of particles when not knotted.
The new recommendations ions
Based on the new evidence from the study, the CDC further recommended:
- Choose a mask with a nasal fit, which prevents air from leaking through the top of the nose. If the mask doesn’t have that kind of fit, one can be fitted to prevent air from escaping, Walensky said.
- Verify that the mask fits perfectly to the nose, mouth and chin: “If the mask fits you well, you will feel hot air coming through the front of the mask and you will be able to see how the material of the mask goes in and out with every breath, ”says the CDC.
- Add layers, either by using a multi-layered cloth mask or by using a disposable mask under a cloth mask.
- The use of a double mask is not recommended for all masks. According to the CDC, two disposable masks should not be combined: “Disposable masks are not designed to fit well and wearing more than one will not improve the fit.”
- Do not place another mask on top of one of type KN 097. “That mask should be used alone”, according to the US agency.
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