Double-sided masks? N95? Protect yourself from new Covid-19 variants with these mask upgrades

“Now more than ever, the next four to six months are the most critical time to really jack up your mask,” said John Volckens, a professor of mechanical engineering at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

But how exactly do you mask better? And what other masking guidelines have changed? Here’s What You Should Know.

What is double masking and why are people talking about it?

Double masking is wearing one mask over another. This blocks more particles as you have two layers and the fit is tighter, creating a tighter seal around your face with fewer gaps. “Double masking is actually short for improving your mask,” said Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech.

What’s the best way to do double masking?

Most experts say a cloth mask over a surgical mask is the way to go. A cloth mask can also help when worn over a KF94 mask, which is certified in South Korea to filter at least 94% of very fine particles, says Dr. Marr. KF94s can be a bit loose on the sides, so a cloth mask can help pull it tighter to your face.

A second mask is generally not necessary when wearing an N95, which is certified to filter out at least 95% of very fine particles, or a KN95, the Chinese equivalent of an N95. But it can help protect the N95’s material and extend its use.

It is important to maintain breathability with double masking, says Dr. Volckens. “When a mask isn’t breathable, two things happen,” he says. “If there is too much resistance, the mask will leak, or if it is too uncomfortable, take it off.”

How about cloth masks with filters?

A large filter that fits over your nose and mouth can improve filtration, says Mark Rupp, chief of the infectious diseases department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. But if the filter only covers a small area, it probably won’t be very useful. He says filters should be replaced if they are damp or dirty. Dr. Volckens recommends masks with a permanently built-in filter.

I have an N95. Should I wear it?

More experts recommend wearing an N95 if you have one to better protect you from new variants, although the CDC has said it should be reserved for medical personnel. Genuine N95s can be difficult for ordinary consumers to find.

The risk level of your environment is important, says Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. You probably don’t need to wear an N95 if you’re out for a walk with a friend or out to the playground. But if you work indoors at a restaurant or grocery store, or go to an indoor location with a lot of people, it’s a good idea to wear one.

N95s are carefully applied in hospitals. So look for leaks around your face, says Rachael Mary Jones, an associate professor in the division of family medicine and preventive medicine at the University of Utah. “You have to squeeze the metal tab at the top of the nose really tight, to the point where it feels uncomfortable, to make sure it conforms to the shape of your face,” says Dr. Jones.

But if you find tight-fitting N95s excruciatingly uncomfortable, avoid them because you’re more likely to put them off, says Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

What is the difference between a N95, KN95 and KF94? Is one better than the other?

Dr. Allen says a close second of N95s are KF94s, a mask certified in South Korea that American consumers can easily find online. “We can have a lot of confidence in these masks,” says Dr. Allen. “They trap 94% of the particles and are much more comfortable.”

Another popular option is the KN95 masks, which are the Chinese equivalent of an N95. But Dr. Allen warns that there are a significant number of fake KN95s on the market. “These masks take care of me because if you don’t do your homework, you might end up with a mask worse than a cloth mask,” says Dr. Allen. The. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns against KN95s from China unless their manufacturer has certification from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Should I be concerned about counterfeit N95s, KF94s, or surgical masks?

In the US, NIOSH certifies companies that make N95 respirators, which must have an approved label on or in the packaging. If there is no marker or TC number or if NIOSH is misspelled, that’s a red flag.

So far, experts say they are not aware of the widespread counterfeiting of KF94s or standard surgical masks, but it is wise to remain vigilant about labeling.

How Effective Are Commonly Available Blue Surgical Masks?

The filtration of blue surgical masks can vary. Look for ASTM certification on surgical mask boxes. “They are very good at filtering out aerosols of all sizes,” says Dr. Marr. Levels two and three are especially good.

The downside to surgical masks is that they don’t fit well on most faces. “It’s just a rectangle and you’re trying to make it fit your face, so inevitably there are holes on the side so they leak like crazy,” says Dr. Marr. This is where double masking can be useful.

How do I know if my mask fits properly?

When you inhale, the mask should press or flex against your face with the flow of air. You can also exhale. There should be no air openings from the sides of your mask.

If your glasses fog up, it means air is escaping from the top of your mask at the bridge of the nose, says Dr. Volckens. If you’re not wearing glasses, put on sunglasses to see if they fog up.

Another good test: stand in front of a mirror and exhale forcefully. Did you blink your eyes? If so, it means air is hitting your eyelids and escaping around the mask.

Besides double masking, are there other ways to improve the fit of my mask?

Dr. Marr says mask fitters, while unsightly, can make a big difference and improve the performance of a looser-fitting mask, such as a surgical mask.

Metal nose bridges also help improve fit, as do straps around the back of the head, says Dr. Marr. Mask holders – small clips that attach to ear loops and wrap around your head – are also useful.

Many of these masks – such as N95s, KN95s, KF94s, and surgical masks – are intended for single use, but people often reuse them. How often can I wear them and how do I store them between uses?

Some scientists say such masks can be worn until visibly soiled or damaged. Dr. Jones says multiple applications will not affect filtration; it is the fit that can deteriorate.

Store single-use masks that you want to wear again somewhere dry and away from other things, such as in a paper bag or open Tupperware, or hang it somewhere, experts say.

Do not use chemical disinfectants on masks. “When you spray chemicals on your mask, you’re going to inhale those chemicals,” says Dr. Volckens. And don’t wash the N95s, because that will damage their electrical filtering capability, he warns.

What kind of mask should children wear?

Dr. Gandhi says there is generally no need for children to do double masking. There are smaller surgical masks and KF94s that are good for children, but any well-fitting cloth mask has some benefit.

Avoid masks that children often have to take off. “Comfort is key to this population,” says Dr. Gandhi. “Fit has to be tight, but has to talk absolutely naturally.”