A top infectious disease expert has warned that wearing two masks can “do more harm” if one of the face wraps is not worn properly.
Michael Osterholm, who was an adviser to President Joe Biden’s transition team, said the problem arises with masks that have a “filtering capacity or an already compromised fit”, allowing the respiratory droplets to come out of the holes.
“If you add another mask, it may make it harder for the air to move through the two-blade area and then, at that point, it will cause more air to leak around the sides, which improves your ability to move. infect, “Osterholm told NBC presenter Chuck Todd on Sunday.
Osterholm said there are cases where double masking can be an effective tool against coronavirus.
“But at the same time, there are many [where] you could do more harm, ”said the director of the Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.
Osterholm said that what is “very important” for him is to stop people from wearing masks under their noses.
“You know, it’s like repairing three of the five submarine screen doors,” he said.
“We need to get people to start using them properly, which would help a lot right there,” he added.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House coronavirus counselor, said two masks are “probably … more effective.”