The CDC says double-masking significantly reduces exposure to COVID-19. Here are the best confront masks to do it properly.
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Along with social distancing, one of the best protections against COVID-nineteen is to wear a well-plumbing equipment mask.
If yous only accept a single-layer or loose-fitting mask, it may exist smart to habiliment two at once.
To double upwards, wear one textile mask over another, or vesture a textile mask over a surgical mask.
This article was medically reviewed by Aimee Desrosiers, PA-C, MS, MPH, a practicing infectious diseases dr. assistant in Washington, DC.
The CDC strongly recommends (and has fifty-fifty mandated) widespread mask-wearing in public, saying that it's essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19. But as more is learned about the pandemic and the transmission of the virus, wellness officials have begun advocating for not only wearing one mask simply for wearing two.
The nearly notable communication for double-masking comes from Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the nation'southward superlative infectious-disease specialist, who said it's common sense to think ii masks are better than one. A new study from the CDC reported that layering a tight-fitting mask over a surgical 1 tin can improve protection by about 50%. If y'all watched the 2021 presidential inauguration, y'all likely saw plenty of examples of double masking, including poet Amanda Gorman's manner-forrard combo.
Why double-masking may exist a smart conclusion
Experts accept long brash that when it comes to masks, more layers is ameliorate — provided you tin notwithstanding breathe well. Merely something important changed at the starting time of 2021.
"Y'all're hearing more than about double-masking in the media and from health professionals considering new [COVID-19] variants are more hands transmissible, and with the level of infection we take at this time, whatsoever kind of additional protection may exist helpful," Edgar Sanchez, Doctor, an infectious disease doctor at Orlando Health, told Insider.
That said, many public health experts themselves aren't wearing two masks, as reported by Hilary Brueck for Insider. While experts say double masking could theoretically be helpful on the whole, there are a couple of things that are much more important than people doubling-upwardly.
"Getting more people to wear only one mask is more than important than getting one person to wearable two masks," Dr. Sanchez said. This may be function of the reason why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hasn't officially inverse its guidelines to recommend double masking.
Secondly, a quality mask that is properly-fitted and multilayered is improve than wearing two ill-fitting masks. Your mask should fit securely over your nose, and sit down snugly against your cheeks and chin without any gaps. If a mask causes your glasses or sunglasses to fog up, that's actually a sign it doesn't fit properly and allows respiratory droplets to escape out the top, Dr. Abe Malkin, the founder and medical managing director of Concierge Medico LA, told Insider.
Masks with adjustable nose pieces can sometimes aid create a amend fit, too, and those with ii (or preferably iii) layers with tightly woven material are best at filtering out virus particles. According to the CDC, this ways that when held up to the light, these masks exercise non let light filter through.
Still, wearing 2 masks tin can add protection, and at that place are some situations where public wellness experts and infectious disease physicians recommend it.
To help, I consulted with a number of doctors on how to double mask and the best base layer and top layer masks to exercise it. I've also included some insight into the best practices for double masking and how to properly put them on.
Hither's how to double mask and the face masks y'all need to do it:
The all-time base layer masks
N95 Mask Co. KN95 Confront Mask (20-pack)
Amir Ismael/Insider
The CDC doesn't want average people to article of clothing N95 respirators. But N95 Mask Co. has a genius production model that allows consumers to buy N95s while also keeping them in stock for wellness care workers. They too offer KN95s, which are the Chinese equivalent of the N95, and are a little more comfy because they don't have a caput and neck strap. KN95s are also less expensive than N95s, making them a highly-protective choice for anyone on a budget.
Athleta Everyday Non-Medical Masks (5-Pack)
Mara Leighton/Business Insider
Though using a disposable mask as your base is ideal, Dr. Fauci himself sometimes pairs 2 fabric masks together. These non-medical masks from Athleta rank amidst Insider staffers' best face up mask picks because they're super breathable, which is a crucial factor when choosing masks to double up with. What's more, they've got three layers of very soft material, then they're less probable to irritate peel when secured with another mask on acme if you experience similar you lot want that extra layer of security.
HaloLife Nanofilter Mask
Rachael Schultz/INSIDER
Another reusable base layer option, Insider ranked this choice every bit the all-time overall mask for running and working out thanks to its tight facial seal and 3D pocket for improve breathability. Because information technology blocks over 98% of particles, this mask offers excellent protection on its own. But it also has a slim enough profile to fit under a fabric mask for extra security.
A replaceable latex nose pad ways a comfortable, sealed fit that will prevent spectacles from fogging, and it also comes with a replaceable nanofilter that's good for up to 200 hours.
The best acme layer masks
Uniqlo AIRism Face Mask 3-Pack
Amir Ismael/INSIDER
This cloth mask from Uniqlo got top marks from Insider reporter Amir Ismael who has tested dozens of masks for our reviews. The mask, which is hyper-popular in Japan, comes in several sizes so you tin can cull the size that best fits your face. That makes this pick ideal for wearing over surgical masks, which tend to exist looser-fitting.
Graf Lantz Zenbu Organic Cotton fiber Face Mask
Emerge Kaplan/INSIDER
When it comes to cloth masks, the tighter the weave, the better for trapping viruses, said Dr. Bob Bollinger, Dr., Raj & Kamla Gupta Professor of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University and founding member of telehealth platform emocha Health.
That's one of the reasons multiple Insider editors love the Zenbu mask from Graf Lanz. The construction is such that there's plenty of breathing room, so in other words, plenty of space to clothing your base of operations layer mask without feeling stifled. The mask also has a flexible nose bridge strip and adjustable ear bands to keep it (and your base mask) firmly in identify.
ASWEMOVE Stealthshield
Rachael Schultz/INSIDER
If you're concerned about the majority of wearing 2 masks, this washable featherlight option (3.two grams) may exist a good choice for you. Designed for maximum condolement, it was made with aeration engineering so you tin can breathe and talk hands through information technology. ASWEMOVE is an activewear company, and like many of their other products, this mask is sweatproof and quick-dry, which is a plus if yous're concerned about wet.
Vida Protective Mask (4 Pack)
Mara Leighton/Business Insider
Some other Insider editor favorite, this mask is loved for its affordability, efficacy (it has 2 layers of cotton material), adaptability, and filter options. The mask can be purchased solitary, in a pair, or in a four- or 8-pack, and comes with filters. That extra filtering pick means this mask could also be used equally a base of operations layer if y'all don't accept whatsoever dispensable masks handy.
ThipandCo Washable Face up Mask
Etsy
If you're going to wear your meridian layer mask multiple times, it's important that it's easily washable. ThipandCo's masks are some of the highest-rated textile face up masks on Etsy, and reviewers say they're simple to intendance for and high-quality. They also come up in two sizes and dozens of colors and patterns, so they'll match your style and fit your confront.
When to wear ii masks
When you tin't social distance.
Dr. Sanchez primarily recommends double masking when it's impossible to stay far abroad from others who are outside your household. Examples of places where double masking may be beneficial include public transportation, in crowded grocery stores, and on airplanes.
It may besides exist a proficient thought for essential workers who must collaborate with other people, co-ordinate to John Whyte, Physician, MPH, chief medical officer at WebMD.
Yous merely have single-layer cloth masks, or you lot're not sure how many layers your mask has.
You want your fabric mask to have a minimum of two layers, per CDC guidelines. (The Globe Wellness Organization even recommends iii layers.) Then, if all yous have is single-layer fabric masks, it's a good idea to double upwardly or effort to find a surgical mask to wearable underneath.
Similarly, if yous're unsure how many layers a mask has, wearing 2 ensures y'all accept at least ii layers (and it'southward never bad to have three). This might be the case if you have to take hold of disposable masks from a dispenser at a shop, for instance, or when mask packaging doesn't clearly country the number of layers.
You're wearing a high-filtration mask that hasn't been fit-tested.
Properly-fitted N95 and KN95 masks provide a very high level of protection on their ain. But outside a hospital setting where N95 masks are fit-tested on each individual person, the average user might non be wearing theirs properly, Dr. Sanchez said. In this case, wearing a fabric mask on tiptop — provided you can still breathe hands — tin assist ensure a secure fit.
This strategy may also work well if you're wearing any other type of mask that doesn't fit securely over the olfactory organ or that has gaps at your cheek or chin.
As Bob Bollinger, Doc, Raj & Kamla Gupta Professor of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University and founding member of telehealth platform emocha Health, told Insider, "Surgical or medical masks are better than other masks, considering they typically already have ii to 3 layers of tightly-woven material … however, these masks often don't fit very tightly around the olfactory organ and mouth. This is why it makes sense for some people to double mask with a good quality two- to iii-layer mask underneath a second textile mask [on top] that helps create a tighter seal around the nose and mouth."
As well, N95, KN95, and surgical masks don't practice well with wet, Dr. Sanchez added. "If you're out in the rain or even just on a cold twenty-four hours, moisture tin can build upwards, and the effectiveness of the filtering gets compromised," he said.
It'due south recommended you lot put a cloth mask on top, peculiarly i that's moisture-resistant, to prevent the mask from getting wet.
You desire to preserve a high-filtration mask for futurity use.
Lastly, if you are running low on surgical, KN95, or N95 masks, or are trying to conserve them for budget or supply reasons, wearing a fabric mask on superlative may prolong their life and prevent them from getting dirty.
Reusing disposable masks is non ideal, Dr. Sanchez emphasized, but could be a solution for people in this situation as long as you wash the cloth mask you're using every bit a peak layer between uses.
How to double mask properly
No matter which combination of masks y'all choose, the about important thing is that you feel comfy and can breathe. "If y'all're constantly having to pull down your masks to breathe, it defeats the purpose you have them for in the commencement place," Dr. Sanchez said.
Typically, you lot'll want to utilise a dispensable mask as your base of operations layer, such as an N95, KN95, or surgical mask. Then use a cloth mask on summit. If you don't desire to employ a dispensable mask (or don't have one), you could utilise two cloth masks.
The only other guideline is to put your masks on in the correct order: "Y'all put the mask with the all-time protection on starting time," Dr. Whyte said. "And then place the less-protective one on superlative of that."
Expert sources
Dr. Edgar Sanchez, Doc, an infectious disease physician at Orlando Wellness.
Dr. Abe Malkin, the founder and medical director of Concierge Doc LA.
Dr. John Whyte, MD, MPH, chief medical officeholder at WebMD.
Dr. Bob Bollinger, Dr., Raj & Kamla Gupta Professor of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University and founding member of telehealth platform emocha Wellness.
Julia Malacoff
Freelance Writer
Julia Malacoff is a freelance health writer and editor based in London. She holds a BA in Fine art History from Wellesley College, and is a European Registry of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) Level iv certified personal trainer and Precision Diet Level 1 diet coach.Malacoff's work experience includes writing, reporting, and editing for dozens of summit publications, including Shape, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Fast Company, Popsugar, Reader'southward Assimilate, Healthline, Real Simple, and Parents, as well every bit leading brands in the health and wellness infinite like Equinox, Precision Nutrition, Eddie Bauer, Nether Armour, and Aveeno.Larn more about how our squad of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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