Does wearing two masks provide more protection?
It depends, but it’s possible that doubling can help in some situations.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wear a cloth mask made with two or more layers, making sure it covers your nose and mouth. The agency says it should fit properly so that there are no gaps on the sides of your face.
Wearing just one mask should be sufficient in most situations, as long as it fits snugly and isn’t loose, said Dr. David Hamer, an infectious disease expert at Boston University.
“Starting with a good mask to start with will be key,” said Hamer.
Still, some people want extra protection if they are at risk of serious illness when infected or in situations where they expect to be around others for extended periods of time, such as on an airplane.
One option in scenarios where you want extra protection is to wear a cloth mask and a regular surgical mask, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco.
Gandhi said that combination – with either mask on top – could help achieve a similar effect to the N95 mask. She recommended the added protection for people who will be indoors in areas with high transmission speeds – which could reflect the circulation of more infectious varieties.
Another option that Gandhi and a colleague recommend for situations where you want “maximum” protection: a two-layer fabric mask with filter material in between.
Gandhi noted that it is important for everyday use single cloth masks that they are made of densely woven material and have at least two layers, creating an “obstacle course” that makes it more difficult for virus-carrying particles to break through.
___
The AP answers your questions about the corona virus in this series. Submit them to: [email protected].
Read previous viral questions:
Can I use a face shield instead of a mask?
Does wearing a mask pose any health risks?
Should I Get a COVID-19 Vaccine If I’ve Had the Virus?