The science is in: Two masks are much better than one to reduce COVID-19 spreadWearing a cloth mask over a three-ply medical procedure mask or knotting the ear loops of a surgical mask and tucking in the excess materialprotects against COVID-19Article contentThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wednesday began recommending that Americans wear a cloth mask over a medical mask to slow the spread of COVID-19, along with other options to improve mask fit. The guidance followed the release of an agency study that found double masking can boost protection from aerosolized particles. They found that both these methods helped reduce the exposure to potentially infected aerosols by more than 90 per cent in laboratory simulations. Surgical masks are designed to ensure a surgical field stays sterile and have became widely worn outside of hospitals during the pandemic. Their protection, however, can be limited by a loose fit like gaps around the sides of the face, the CDC study said.

Source: National Post February 11, 2021 08:26 UTC