Check your match on that double mask if you want it to work against Covid, says study

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This is because the double protective mask does not mean so much the addition of layers of cloth, but the elimination of any gaps or poorly matched areas of a mask, according to lead author Emily Sickbert-Bennett, associate professor of infectious diseases. of Medicine, University of North Carolina. The study was published Friday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

“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.

A man is wearing a double mask while walking in Times Square in New York.
Disposable surgical masks are made of three layers of non-woven fabric, usually made of plastic. The top layer of colored fabric is made of medical grade spun polypropylene, which is a resin polymer that is thermally bonded in a weblike type structure. Surgical masks are made with nose threads that can be used to better fit your face mask (and to protect your glasses from fog).
You can make a disposable mask fit better, says the CDC, by knotting the ear loops where they join the edge of the mask, then folding and wrapping the useless material under the edges. The CDC has a video here to show you how.
When choosing a cloth mask, it should be made of 2- or 3-layer cloth with a tight fabric, according to studies. Use the light test to check the fabric: if you can easily see the outline of the individual fibers when you hold the mask on, it is unlikely to be effective.
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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.

In addition, do not double the layer of a KN95 mask type, warns CDC. KN95 masks are not certified by the US National Institutes of Health and Safety at Work, but several KN95 mask manufacturers have received emergency approval for use in US health care settings.

Check the match

Here’s how to make sure your mask fits properly, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • 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.

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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.

If used properly, mask filters can increase protection “for aerosols in the size range considered to be most important for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2,” the virus that causes Covid-19, the CDC said.
Make sure you clean and dispose of the masks properly. Surgical masks are used only once, and if they are dirty, the mask should be carefully discarded and replaced, the US Food and Drug Administration said.
The CDC recommends storing dirty fabric masks in sealed plastic bags until you can wash them.

“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 “.

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