Does wearing two masks really protect us more?

    Does wearing two masks really protect us more?

    Masks: is it enough to wear one at a time or are those who put two on top of the other good?

    Obligatory and highly recommended, of the mask, right now, we can not do without. But is it enough to wear one at a time or are those who put two on top of the other good? So is it better protected? That is, does putting the double mask create a more effective barrier against the coronavirus? Not always: better to wear two than one mask if this is of poor quality.





    It would seem so and, if you look around a bit, it seems that this practice actually proves to be valid. In short, while Germany is about to make the use of the FFP2 mask mandatory, some are evaluating another option to increase protection against covid-19: that of superimposing two masks.

    Also read: What happens if you wash surgical masks after using them, according to a new French test

    If the idea may seem far-fetched, however, it is according to an American study by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University published in November 2020 that this method would provide a almost identical protection to that of an FFP2 mask.

    Among other things, it is a technique already adopted for many months in the United States by President-elect Joe Biden who often appeared wearing a fabric mask over a surgical mask.

    Some experts suggest that wearing the double mask, with the cloth one over the surgical one, could be useful when you don't have a really effective mask available. Basically, it would be better to wear two masks than a single poor quality mask. The double layer would also allow to have the mask tightly fitting and sealed to the face, without the risk that empty spaces may remain.

    In any case, it is good to underline that to date there is no strong scientific research and evidence to support this theory and that on the American CDC website the use of the double mask is not recommended as one of the effective prevention methods against coronavirus.

    In short, if you want to wear two masks no one will tell you that it is wrong, but the best way to protect yourself is still being physically distant from each other and washing your hands.



    Source: The Guardian

    Read also:

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    • Washable masks work, promoted by Altroconsumo. Decathlon and Pompea best of the test
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