More On Masks
Linsey Marr, an expert on virus transmission and a professor at Virginia Tech, says masks are like an obstacle course for particles to get through. “Adding a second mask adds another obstacle course, increasing the chance that the particle will be trapped before it gets through to the other side.” She recommends using a disposable, nonwoven mask underneath a tightly fitted cloth mask, which she says should block about 90% of infectious particles. Even if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, the virus is still spreading, and with the discovery of new variants that could be up to 70 percent more transmissible it will continue to sicken people. [delete]
For the record, here are the masks the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding:
- Those that are too loose or with large gaps.
- Masks made from loosely woven fabric that let light pass through.
- Masks with one layer
- Masks with exhalation valves or vents.
- Scarves or ski masks worn as a mask.
- Masks made from materials that are hard to breathe through such as plastic or leather.
Source:
Double Masking for COVID: Are Two Face Masks Better Than One? Experts suggest ways to add layers of protection against the coronavirus, by Michelle Crouch, AARP, January 25, 2021.
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