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

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

But how do you mask yourself better? And what other masking guidelines have changed? Here’s what you need to know.

What is a double mask and why do people talk about it?

The double mask wears one mask on top of the other. This blocks more particles because you have two layers and the fit is tighter, creating a tighter seal around the face with fewer gaps. “Double masking is really an abbreviation for improving your mask,” says Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech.

What is the best way to double the mask?

Most experts say that 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 are certified in South Korea to filter at least 94% of very small particles, says Dr. Marr. The KF94 can be somewhat loosened on the side, so a cloth mask can help you tighten your face better.

A second mask is generally not required when wearing an N95, which is certified to filter at least 95% of very small particles or a KN95, the Chinese equivalent of an N95. But it could help protect the N95 material and expand its use.

It is important to maintain double-mask respirability, says Dr. Volckens. “If a mask is not breathable, one of two things happens,” he says. “If there is too much resistance, the mask will leak or if it is too uncomfortable, you will remove it.”

What about filter cloth masks?

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

I have an N95. Should I wear it?

Several experts recommend wearing an N95 if you have one to better protect yourself against new variants, although the CDC said it should be reserved for medical workers. Legitimate N95s can be hard to find for regular consumers.

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

In hospitals, the N95 is carefully fitted. So look for leaks around your face, says Rachael Mary Jones, an associate professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah. “You need to pinch the metal clip from the top of your nose firmly to the point where it feels uncomfortable to make it conform to the shape of your face,” says Dr. Jones.

But if you find N95s extremely uncomfortable, avoid them because you are more likely to remove them, says Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease physician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

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

Dr. Allen says that a second close to the N95 is the KF94, a certified mask in South Korea that American consumers can easily find online. “We can have a lot of confidence in these masks,” says Dr. Allen. “They capture 94% of the particles and are much more comfortable.”

Another popular option is the KN95 masks, the Chinese equivalent of an N95. But Dr. Allen warns that there are a significant number of fake KN95s on the market. “I’m worried about these masks, because if you don’t do your homework, you might end up getting a worse mask than a cloth mask,” says Dr. Allen. . The US Occupational Health and Safety Administration warns against KN95 in China, unless their manufacturer is certified by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).

Do I have to worry about N95, KF94 or counterfeit surgical masks?

In the US, NIOSH certifies companies that manufacture N95 respirators, which must have an approved label on or inside the package. If there is no marking or the TC or NIOSH number is misspelled, it is a red flag.

So far, experts say they are not aware of the widespread falsification of KF94 or standard surgical masks, but it is wise to remain vigilant about labeling.

How effective are widely available blue surgical masks?

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

The disadvantage of surgical masks is that they do not fit perfectly on most faces. “It’s just a rectangle and you try to fit it on the face, so there are inevitably side gaps so that it drains like crazy,” says Dr. Marr. Here double masking can be useful.

How can I tell if my mask fits well?

When you inhale, the mask should press or flex forward with the airflow. You can also expire. There should be no air gaps coming out of the sides of the mask.

If your glasses steam up, it means air is leaking around the tip of the mask from the bridge of your nose, says Dr. Volckens. If you are not wearing glasses, wear a pair of sunglasses to see if they are steaming.

Another good test: stand in front of a mirror and exhale forcefully. Did you blink? If so, that means the air has hit your eyelids and is slipping around your mask.

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

Dr. Marr says that mask fitters, although unsightly, can make a big difference and improve the performance of a more suitable mask, such as a surgical mask.

Metal bridges in the nose also help improve fit, as do the straps around the head, says Dr. Marr. Mask protection devices are also useful – small staples that attach to the ear curls and wrap around the head.

Many of these masks – such as N95, KN95, KF94 and surgical masks – should be for single use, but people often reuse them. How often can I wear them and how can I keep them between uses?

Some scientists say that such masks can be worn until they are visibly dirty or damaged. Dr. Jones says multiple uses will not degrade filtering; it is the match that can degrade.

Store disposable masks that you plan to wear again somewhere dry and away from other things, such as in a paper bag or open Tupperware, or close them somewhere, experts say.

Do not use chemical disinfectants on masks. “If you spray chemicals on the mask, you will inhale these chemicals,” says Dr. Volckens. And don’t wash N95s, as it will affect their ability to filter electricity, he warns.

What kind of mask should children wear?

Dr. Gandhi says there is generally no need for children to double the mask. There are smaller surgical masks and KF94s that are good for children, but any well-suited cloth mask will provide some benefits.

Avoid masks that children have to wear a lot. “Comfort is the key to this population,” says Dr. Gandhi. “The adjustment should be tight, but it should certainly allow for natural speech.”