As COVID continues to quickly unfold by the nation ― particularly now with omicron within the image ― it could be time to improve your face masks technique. In early 2021, well being consultants advisable double masking, a transfer which may be helpful once more.

A examine revealed by the Centers for Disease Control in February discovered that sporting two masks is more practical at stopping coronavirus transmission than one. The analysis means that sporting one medical grade masks — similar to a surgical masks — beneath a fabric masks considerably boosts safety in opposition to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Experts additionally say new variants are thought to have a neater time binding to our cells, so the extra layers we’ve got overlaying our noses and mouths, the much less seemingly we’ll be uncovered to viral particles that may infect our cells and make us sick. Two masks might assist create a stronger protect between you and the virus (or, on the very least, they couldn’t harm).

Here’s all the things you need to learn about double-masking ― together with how you can go about it ― so you possibly can stop COVID-19 as finest as you possibly can:

Pick two masks which have sufficient layers and air filtration.

“The more layers, the more barriers you can put between yourself and the virus, the better off you’re going to be,” stated Thomas Duszynski, the director of epidemiology training at Indiana University’s Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health.

N95 face masks are the gold normal when it comes to safety. If you may get ahold of an N95 and double it up with a surgical masks, you’re going to have an environment friendly protect in opposition to viral particles.

But N95 masks proceed to be in restricted provide, so that they’ll be tough to attain in the interim. The problem then is how to boost your fabric or surgical face masks, stated Onyema Ogbuagu, a Yale Medicine infectious illness physician and principal investigator of Yale’s Pfizer COVID-19 trial.

The two properties of a masks you need to search for are the filtering capability and the breathability, based on Ogbuagu. You need masks that may each filter the air we breathe in and restrict what number of respiratory secretions we shoot out.

Story continues

KN95 masks are considered fairly good options to N95 masks in non-clinical settings. They won’t be fairly as rigorous as N95s — there’s actually no beating them — however KN95 masks nonetheless provide quite a lot of safety for you and others when sealed round your nostril and mouth. (Here’s an inventory of the KN95s which have acquired emergency use authorization.)

Surgical masks are nice for safeguarding you and others in opposition to giant respiratory droplets, however because of their unfastened match, they’re not foolproof at protecting out all the smaller, aerosolized particles. (Tip: in case your surgical masks is unfastened, attempt tying knots within the ear loops to maintain it taut.)

Surgical masks, like these pictured above, can be utilized as considered one of your face masks layers — simply be sure they’re secured tightly in your face. (Photo: anilakkus by way of Getty Images)

Put your air-filtration masks on first, then cowl it up with one other one.

The masks with the best filtering capabilities ought to go on first, just like the N95, KN95 or a well-fitted surgical masks. Make positive that masks is tightly sealed in opposition to your face. You don’t need gaps within the masks alongside the edges of your face the place contaminated air can sneak in.

Data suggests sure fabric masks won’t be as protecting as we as soon as hoped, so it could be time to formally ditch the bandanas and neck gaiters and have your second layer be a multilayer fabric masks or one other surgical masks.

In basic, the extra layers your masks have, the higher off you — and the individuals round you — will probably be. Studies have discovered that masks with a number of layers can block 50% to 70% of small droplets. When it involves fabric masks, proof suggests three layers of tightly woven cloth are the way in which to go.

“The more layers you have covering your nose and mouth means less virus you’re able to disseminate into the population. And then the more layers you have between you and the environment, the fewer viral particles are going to get into your system,” stated Duszynski, who recommends double-masking when going indoors the place different individuals will probably be.

Make positive you select breathable materials with no valves, in any other case you’ll defeat the aim.

Ogbuagu stated you undoubtedly need the masks, worn collectively, to be snug. Keep in thoughts: Certain supplies could make it powerful to breathe, and there’s such a factor as over-masking, which might truly wind up doing extra hurt than good.

“You can pack on 10 layers, but what you do is you lose breathability, they’re uncomfortable and you’ve overdone the filtering capacity that you want,” Ogbuagu stated. Certain materials (like vinyl) additionally make it tougher to breathe. And in case you can’t breathe, you seemingly gained’t put on it.

Duszynski additionally suggested in opposition to masks with a valve or vent. Not solely do these masks have a gap the virus can journey by, however the vent concentrates the quantity of virus popping out, which might put others in danger. Even with a second masks on high, Duszynski stated, avoid masks with vents or valves.

When unsure, go for masks that match snugly in opposition to the aspect of your face and utterly cowl your nostril and mouth.

“The science is really clear on this,” Duszynski stated. Double-masking is simply one other means you cannot solely provide yourself with protection however assist shield any individual else.

This story has been up to date. Experts are nonetheless studying about COVID-19. The info on this story is what was recognized or out there as of publication, however steerage can change as scientists uncover extra in regards to the virus. Please verify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for probably the most up to date suggestions.

This article initially appeared on HuffPost and has been up to date.

Related…



Source link