Is it time to double up on face masks to help combat COVID-19 variants?

With the new variants of the coronavirus heading to the US and even parts of Texas, there have been some jokes that claim that wearing two face masks is better than one.

Some medical experts told the Washington Post this week that if you have an added mask and increase your protection against the virus, you will reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 or one of its variants in the United Kingdom, South Africa or Brazil.

However, the CDC has not issued any official guidance on wearing two face masks instead of one, and according to Dr. Ruth Berggren of UT Health San Antonio, there are no medical studies to prove this yet.

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Dr. Berggren said in an interview with KSAT 12 that two face masks may not be needed. Instead, make sure you have two or three layers in the face mask and follow the three W – Wear a mask, Wait six feet away from others and Washen your hands.

“I don’t think double masking is the answer – it’s the 3Ws,” said Dr. Berggren. “You don’t have to have two masks to be safe. You just have to have a good mask. ”

“At least a double layer of masks, not a single layer of stretched material. Two or three layers, “added Dr. Berggren.

With these new virus variants, you may be wondering how safe the face masks you have actually used in the last year are.

For starters, make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth. If you wear a mask halfway, just covering your mouth, it gives you little protection for yourself and those around you, according to Dr. Berggren.

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“[It’s] totally inefficient. It’s like you’re not wearing a mask at all, “said Dr. Berggren.

It is also important to remember how well your mask fits. If it is loose or has a large gap on the sides, then this may cause you to wear a second mask.

“If your mask has a large gap in the side, then this is a problem. Either you have to work on how it fits, or use a second mask for that, Dr. Berggren said.

The CDC has a few other tips to help you figure out which masks are the safest you can use.

From:

• You have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric

• Be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a mask

• The sides of the mask must fit perfectly around the face, without gaps

Do not:

• Use masks made of hard-to-breathe fabrics, such as vinyl

• Do not use masks that have exhalation valves or vents that may allow virus particles to escape.

• They are intended for healthcare workers, such as N95 or surgical masks

For more information on what the CDC recommends for face masks, click here.

Yes, some of the variants have already made their way to Texas, according to a recent report by The Associated Press.

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As of January 19, health officials have reported a case of the UK variant, or B.1.1.7, in Dallas County. Another case was confirmed in Houston on January 7.

None of the options turned out to be more lethal. However, they are significantly more transmissible, say media experts.

Dr. Berggren said that although reports have not officially confirmed that cases of variants have been found in San Antonio, she believes there is a good chance they are already here.

“We know they were found in Houston and we think they’re here,” Dr. Berggren said.

Fortunately, vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are still believed to be effective against these new strains of COVID-19. And boosters can also be developed to help combat the vaccine response.

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For now, health officials urge you to continue to follow current public health guidelines and not to disappoint our guard.

You can watch the full interview with Dr. Berggren here.

ABOUT: Health expert says San Antonio “could be in a world of injury” with COVID-19 variants