Doubling Up Masks Creates 'Obstacle Course' For COVID, may equal N-95

[Demovictory9]

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/01/19/doubling-up-face-masks-creates-obstacle-course-covid-colorado-doctor/

“Specifically what we’re saying is that two masks may actually equal the protection you would get from N-95 masks, which is considered the best mask there is short of a complete respirator-type unit,” Hnida said.

He said wearing a surgical mask with a cloth mask over it does give an extra layer of protection.

“The reason for that is you do wind up getting more filtration of viral particles, it becomes more of an obstacle course for the viral particle to make its way from the air into your nose and throat and then into your lungs.”

But three masks may be going too far, since that could interfere with the ability to breathe.

He pointed out President-Elect Joe Biden has been “double-masking” for many months, as have coaches at football games in the NFL.

[demtenjeep]

1. I have been doubling up since Christmas

I think everyone should

[soothsayer]

2. I do always. Always.

[demtenjeep]

5. somehow right at the beginning of all this we had a bottle of alcohol 99%. We keep it in spray bott

one in the vehicle, one in our home.

We spray our hands all the time

[TeamPooka]

3. I have a cloth mask with a surgical mask insert and in stores pull a gaitor up over it

to secure it and keep it tight.
I have no trouble breathing with it all.

[LiberalFighter]

4. I have not seen any football coach doubling up.

[Ms. Toad]

6. I've been doubling at high risk times -

like when my daughter and spouse were both exposed.

[LisaL]

7. Sorry, I have to be able to breathe.

So I just wear one N95.

[DangerousRhythm]

8. I work for a major chain of supermarkets...

I've been double masking like this (surgical mask under cloth mask) since April, and wearing a shield since maybe May. This is what I thought, intuitively. Seemed logical to me, anyway.

[Tarc]

9. Doubled-up for awhile, as I prefer the "neck gaiter" style.

Though we were finally vindicated from that dumb Duke study;

Save the Gaiters!

A small study prompted fears that neck gaiters could spread more virus droplets than they stop. But new research shows that those face coverings can protect just as well as other cloth masks.

Copper-Fit has one that is marketed as "two-layer", just got it in the mail today, so going to try that out this week.

[bamagal62]

10. If you read about the microns and

How they bounce around below a certain size, it makes sense. .03 is the perfect size to get through filters. Above that and they are too large. Below that and they bounce around and can’t get through. So, you must protect by causing obstacles for the .03, from what I’ve read. It’s pretty fascinating to read about them and why N95s are the standard. So, double masking makes sense. (I’m not sure if I understand it quite enough to explain it!)

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. I double mask. 😷

[intrepidity]

12. I use a KN95 "3D" mask under a cloth one

The "3D"-ness of it creates a cup-like structure that the cloth mask fits over.

I started doing this cuz I was tired of always wearing a white mask, wanted to wear some colorful cloth ones. Then, after trying a cloth one alone, didnt like how it touched my face. So, put the KN95 under it. Then I realized it's superior protection, so my normal routine now.

[ecstatic]

15. Wow! Stay safe! nt

[ecstatic]

14. I do it when I'm really concerned but definitely try it at home first

before trying it out in public. It takes a little getting used to. In my opinion, double masking may temporarily increase anxiety which makes it seem harder to breath, but it's all in the mind. The feeling passes.