According to a study, double masking does not prevent people from catching or spreading Covid and may even increase their risk.
U.S. health chiefs are advising Americans to double up from early 2021 if they can’t afford a medical-grade mask, claiming it increases protection.
But now researchers say wearing two masks can do the opposite, creating a “false sense of security” that causes people to take unnecessary risks.
They found that wearing two cloth masks forced more air through the spaces between the face, increasing the amount of virus inhaled into the air.
Using computer simulation models, the study looked at fabric masks, so the results don’t necessarily apply to surgical masks or N95s used in hospitals.
However, the researchers noted that wearing two tight-fitting masks can cause “breathing difficulties.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask for “better fit and extra protection.”
By measuring airflow through and around the masks, a team of American researchers found that double masking did not improve performance and gave a “false sense of security.” In the photo: the temporary evolution of coughing while wearing a mask
Experts from Florida State University and Johns Hopkins University ran computer simulations of 3D heads based on 100 men and 100 women.
The researchers simulated a cough stream from the mouths of models who wore a cloth mask over their nose and mouth and wrapped elastic loops around their ears.
The team calculated the filtering efficiency, which measures how many virus-filled droplets are captured or blocked by the mask.
The results, published in the journal Physics of Liquids, show that wearing two face masks “provides little or no increase in protection.”
The two masks “perhaps not significantly improving protection against virus particles expiration.”
However, they said it could “theoretically” reduce the amount of virus that could pass through the mask, but wearing two tightly fitting face masks “could also cause breathing difficulties.”
An unsuitable second mask will reduce the amount of air that can be filtered through the liner, forcing more air to pass through the gaps between the mask and the face.
They said people may also have a “false sense of security when they choose to use double face masks” and are therefore less likely to engage in social distancing or take other measures.
Making the findings significant, the researchers said double masking is “increasingly popular” for Americans who don’t have access to the more effective N95 and KN95 masks.
They said one cloth mask would be better than two, but the best type of mask is one that fits perfectly, such as N95 or KN95.
British health chiefs had previously said there was “insufficient evidence” to recommend double masking.
Covid is mainly spread through droplets emitted by an infected person when they breathe, talk, cough or sneeze.
Larger particles can get into the nose or mouth of people nearby, while smaller airborne droplets remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled.
There is some evidence that masks can reduce the dispersion of these particles when worn correctly, but how much is still controversial.
Source: Daily Mail
I am Anne Johnson and I work as an author at the Fashion Vibes. My main area of expertise is beauty related news, but I also have experience in covering other types of stories like entertainment, lifestyle, and health topics. With my years of experience in writing for various publications, I have built strong relationships with many industry insiders. My passion for journalism has enabled me to stay on top of the latest trends and changes in the world of beauty.
