Of course! Our new health experts see no problem.
Posted on 01/22/2021 12:45:42 PM PST by nickcarraway
While some people are still pushing back against wearing a face mask in public despite strong evidence that covering the nose and mouth helps protect the wearer and those around them from COVID-19 infection, others are taking their level of protection one step further by doubling up and wearing two.
Layered face masks have been spotted on everyone from President Joe Biden to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to essential workers on public transportation and at the grocery store.
But is wearing two face masks actually more effective than wearing one? And is it even safe to layer up? We asked experts to weigh in.
Is wearing two face masks more protective against COVID-19 than one? First, there’s plenty of science to support wearing one face mask. Research shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that having people wear masks can dramatically reduce the spread of COVID-19, and subsequently, hospitalizations and deaths from the novel coronavirus.
For example, one often-cited study of two hairstylists who had COVID-19 found that none of the 67 clients they worked on over an eight-day period who consented to testing developed an infection. The stylists and their clients wore masks at the time of their interaction. Another study of health care workers in Boston found that there was a significant drop in positive coronavirus test results after mask-wearing was adopted by staff.
“The goal of using a mask is to create a barrier,” says infectious disease expert Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “If you’re using some kind of flimsy mask, then having a double mask may help.” But he adds that “it’s not something that every person needs to do.”
There’s no concrete data on the additional benefits of double masking yet, but experts have some theories on when it could be worth considering, especially if you’re wearing a non-medical grade face covering (as most of us are).
“Double masking adds an extra layer of filter, making it even more difficult for the drops of moisture ridden with the virus to get to you or to spread to others,” says Aline M. Holmes, D.N.P., R.N., a clinical associate professor at the Rutgers University School of Nursing. She says it could serve as bonus protection for people who are in high-risk settings for coronavirus transmission, like a hospital or nursing home.
It could also be a good idea to double up if you’re sick with COVID-19 and want to do everything you can to protect other people in your home from contracting the virus. (Note: You should still be isolated away from others whenever possible.)
However, many experts “don’t think it’s necessary,” including Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “I’m glad there are some people doubly committed to wearing a mask, but it’s not been studied,” he says. “Double masking may provide some additional protection in both directions — out as well as in — but it’s not officially recommended by anyone at this time.”
“When I go into a COVID patient’s room, I wear two — an N95 respirator with a surgical one over it,” says Dr. Richard Watkins, an infectious disease physician and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University. “When I come out, I throw away the surgical one and keep the N95.” The goal, Dr. Watkins says, is to help protect his N95 mask for future use, given that supplies are limited.
Is wearing two face masks safe?
If you choose to wear two face masks, it’s “not going to hurt you” as long as you can still breathe easily, Dr. Adalja says. If you feel restriction, you will still have a layer of protection by sticking to one mask.
There also doesn’t seem to be any “right” way to do this or any particular type of mask that is a better fit for this method. “Just make sure the first mask fits well over your nose and mouth,” Dr. Schaffner says.
Plus, it’s important to remember that wearing two face masks doesn’t mean you should stop social distancing from people outside of your household and washing your hands thoroughly and frequently. “If you’re doubling up your mask and still engaging in risky behavior, that’s not going to help you,” Dr. Adalja says.
I use mine as a jock strap.
I have been telling the Liberals I know to use PLASTIC masks to be “really safe”. Wear them as tight as you can is what I tell them.
Of course wearing two face masks helps provided that they are proper masks.
No. It just makes you more of a pussy.
A better objection is why do cars not have 2 air-filters?
The mask does not, is not intended o stop the virus directly. Put your mosquitos in a balloon, and the fence stops them. But putting 2 air-cleaners on a car intake just makes it harder for the engine to breath.
I really had to exercise self control not to zing you on that one.
I dont know if your claim is true about those masks but certainly the danger of crystalline silica is part of OSHA rules and requirements for workplace safety.
The upside of masks is that it hides the perpetual frowns burned into liberal's faces and stops them from spewing spittle when the talk jibberish
“For example, one often-cited study of two hairstylists who had COVID-19 found that none of the 67 clients they worked on over an eight-day period who consented to testing developed an infection. The stylists and their clients wore masks at the time of their interaction.”
Multiple married couples I know where one caught the virus (RNs) then quarantined with their spouses, without masks - and their spouses did not catch it. Does that prove NOT wearing a mask protects you against COVID?
Seems a better test than two hairdressers and their customers...
Ten masks,.....better yet, a large black platic bag, 55 gallon size, with ties at the bottom, near your feet. No eye holes, because you are just going to stay inside, at home, and wait to die.
There.
Riding a bicycle, alone, at least five miles away from ANYWHERE, wearing a mask. That’s not status, that is idiocy.
Twice the ineffectiveness and two times the stoopid?😷😷
Battle flag
I see what you did there.....!!!!
Of course! Our new health experts see no problem.
Still no different than taking cover from weapon fire behind a chain link fence.
They are obviously admitting that one mask did nothing against a virus (proven science), so two will change that.
Masks accumulate and concentrate both viruses and bacteria which are eventually breathed in in larger concentrations of particles.
If you want protection, wear a hazmat suit, biohazard suit, or MOPP 4 gear and even with that you are defending against a cold/flu virus.
For awhile I considered getting a mask with an image of a sheep on it. Decided not to. Figured it would just be a waste of money since I've only ever worn a mask once since this all started. I still don't understand the logic of requiring me to wear a mask going in to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned that time last summer, since I only wore it for about thirty seconds, and then had it off for the rest of my time in the dentist's office.
When I go to the stores maskless, nobody says anything to me but, "Hi! How ya doing today?"
Just suggesting that will find at least a fair number of people trying it.
I would like to see an article appear saying that recent studies show that drinking your own urine once a day for five days will give you permanent immunity. If that came out at 9 am, by 5 pm half of the country would be waking around with piss breath.
I’d check the death rate of Democrats due to covid. They are all two-faced.
YES. If you suffocate to death you are immune from COVID.
Maybe.
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