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Are You Wearing Double Masks Correctly? Here’s The Right Way To Do It

May 31, 2021

Image: Bernama

Covid-19 cases are skyrocketing in the country and now is the right time to ramp up self-protection efforts.

Start double masking for added safety. We spoke to respiratory specialist Dr Kow Ken Siong, who shared with us the right way of wearing double masks.

Why should you do so? 

According to the best practices of America’s Centre for Disease Control(CDC) double-masking can substantially reduce exposure to Covid-19. 

The CDC says this method provides up to 85.4% of protection compared to 56.1% when wearing a single surgical mask, while a cloth mask alone offers 51.4% of protection. 

When should you wear double masks?

Doubling up is recommended if the mask one is currently wearing is unable to filter more than 85% of viral particles, regardless if it is a non 3-ply face mask or a cloth mask.

How do you double up?

Wear a tight-fitting reusable fabric mask on top of your surgical mask.

Do not double up with two surgical masks or two cloth masks.

Doubling up on such masks offers no extra benefits because air resistance builds up and causes leakages around the edges of the mask.

What if you are required to wear an N95 face mask?

It is not necessary to double-mask if one is already wearing an N95.

A professional grade N95 mask already filters up to 95% of viral particles, so wearing just one will suffice. 

What if one has respiratory problems?

A doctor from Mumbai, India recently mentioned that double-masking causes no breathing issues. 

He says double masking is for everybody and is now increasingly recommended all over the world and is even becoming the new norm.

Remember guys… ultimately, the best strategy with any face masks also includes physical distancing and frequent hand washing.

By Roshini Ravindran