SHOULD YOU DOUBLE MASK TO PREVENT COVID-19?

SHOULD YOU DOUBLE MASK TO PREVENT COVID-19?

Double masking is just what it sounds like: wearing one mask over another to provide an extra layer of protection.

Recently, some people have suggested that wearing two masks can better prevent COVID-19 spread.

As per studies, double masking could lessen down infection chances and cut severity rates by as much as 85-95%. Medically speaking, using additional layers, or masks can create a tougher barrier that will stop germs and viruses from creeping in and spreading infections. It can also do a better job in reducing the contagiousness of any infection.

According to the Director of Public Health services Kisumu County Mr. Frederick Oluoch, it’s advisable to use one three ply mask to prevent one from contracting Covid 19, however in the recent past, individuals have formed a habit of putting on two or three masks to prevent them from getting Covid 19, he added that one is supposed to have only one three ply mask instead of two.

Double masking was also a measure suggested by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the USA after studies confirmed its workings. According to scientists, layering up an additional layer of mask over the other not just offers strengthened protection, but also helps lower infectivity and transmission by effectively curbing the pathogen from collecting.

In the study, researchers measured whether two alternate mask-wearing methods could help limit COVID-19 spread compared to wearing just a single surgical mask: Wearing a cloth face covering over a surgical mask, i.e. double masking and Knotting the ear loops of a surgical mask and tucking in and flattening the extra material close to the face. Also, you should not wear any mask over an N95 mask.

Many people tend to layer up homemade masks one over the other. However, experts suggest that when it comes to double masking, ensure that you layer up a cloth mask over a surgical one for the best measure. Such a combination, unlike others, would not just cover the face better, give you proper fit (nose and below the mouth), but also prevent the leakage of air or collection of particles.

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s leading infectious diseases expert said that it can help filter more particles than a single cloth mask alone.

Wearing two masks could make it more difficult to breathe, but double-masking (with a surgical and a cloth) is generally well-tolerated and doesn’t reduce oxygen supply.

However, if your mask already has multiple layers and fits tightly, it’s not necessary to double mask.

Sky FM looked into the claim of double masking and found that it can lessen down infection chances and cut severity rates by as much as 85-95%.

This message is brought to you by Sky Fm in collaboration with Code for Africas’iLab Data Journalism Program supported by DW Akademie

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