There are increasing questions and media posts about the potential benefits of double masking as it pertains to source control and COVID-19 transmission. Robust infection prevention protocols such as masking, maintaining physical distance, limiting gatherings, and washing hands regularly have been effective in limiting the transmission of COVID-19 in several hospitals, businesses, sports venues, and universities over the past year.[1] [2]
As of now, there is no well-designed study that answers the question, “are two masks better at preventing COVID-transmission than one?” One study demonstrates the impact of wearing a well-fitting mask on source control and how wearing an overlying mask may improve overall mask fit.[3] With variants of COVID-19 now circulating, having additional layers of barrier protection over the nose and mouth will definitely help. However, we don’t know whether these modifications and layers impact overall compliance with masking, impact breathing or cause mask fatigue. In addition, we need to remember that the mask should cover our nose and mouth, and in high risk settings, adding eye protection (e.g. face shield) is just as important.
Improving the overall fit of a mask improves its effectiveness. See below for ways to improve mask fit:
- Option 1: This video demonstrates one way to make your mask tighter.
- Option 2: Use a plastic clip to pull the straps tighter behind your head.
- Option 3: Twist the straps of your surgical mask before you put it on so that the elastic is in a crisscross.
If you can double mask or wear a mask with higher filtration properly and continuously, then go for it. If you can’t, then make sure your cloth mask has multiple layers and fits well. We recommend trying different kinds of masks to see which offers the best combination of fit, breathability and filtration. The main goal should be to focus on “universal masking”, i.e. wearing a face mask over your nose and mouth at all times, whenever you are around people outside your immediate family, even if social distancing is possible. We should be careful about how we communicate our masking guidance, as focusing on pitfalls of cloth masks and surgical masks to promote double masking or masks with higher filtration may lead to increased skepticism of masking itself. We are already seeing instances where people have stopped masking altogether in public spaces.[4] Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Let’s keep our guidance simple, consistent, and doable.
More information about masks and any updates are available on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.[5] [6]
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