“We have found that wearing two poorly fitted masks will not give you the benefit of filtering that a perfect mask will have …” Sickbert-Bennett said in a statement.
“The best type of double mask is when you and the person you are interacting with each wear a very suitable mask correctly,” she said.
Usually, double masking involves placing a disposable surgical or medical mask under a cloth mask.
Choose cloth masks with nose threads, says the CDC, and then “bend the nose thread over your nose to fit close to your face.”
Place both masks over the bridge of your nose, under your chin and wash your face, resting along your skin. “The cloth mask should push the edges of the disposable mask over your face,” says the CDC.
An important note: do not cover two disposable masks. They are not “designed to fit snugly and wearing more than one will not improve fit,” says the CDC.
Check the match
- Place your hands on your face around the outer edges of the mask.
- Breathe in and out, checking for air from the area near the eyes or the sides of the mask.
- If the mask fits well, you will feel the warm air entering through the front of the mask and you may see the mask material moving and coming out with each breath.
- Remember, none of this works if you pull your mask down to reveal your nose. Stay completely masked at all times.
The CDC suggests men shave their beards or at least shave their beards close to their faces. “Masks for bearded people are being evaluated and information will be provided when they become available,” the CDC said.
If you have trouble adjusting, the CDC recommends that you consider a mask fitter, or straps, to prevent air from leaking around the edges of the mask.
A mask installer is a small, frame-like device that is usually made of solid or elastic plastic. It is placed on top of a mask and fixed against the face with head ties or earrings. These devices are reusable, so you will need to clean them thoroughly after each use.
“Wash wet or dirty masks as soon as possible to prevent them from turning into mold. Wet masks can be difficult to breathe and are less effective than dry masks,” says the CDC.
Dry your mask completely in a hot or hot dryer, says the CDC, or by hanging it “in direct sunlight to dry completely. If you can’t hang it in direct sunlight, hang it or place it.” flat and let it dry completely “.