By now, most Americans are used to wearing a face mask whenever they step out, but new warnings from health experts suggest one mask may not be enough. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a physician and the current director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is telling Americans to consider double masking to fight the spread of new, more contagious strains of COVID-19.
“If you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective,” Fauci explained during a January 25 interview on NBC News Today. “That’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95.”
Fauci isn’t the only expert calling for double masks. Tom Frieden, the former director of the CDC during the Obama administration, also says upgrading to a better quality mask may be an important step in protecting yourself from emerging forms of the virus.
“Consider upgrading from a cloth mask to a surgical mask, or from a surgical mask to an N95/KN95/equivalent if available,” he writes on Twitter. “Better masks may help reduce risk from more-contagious strains.”
So far, the CDC has not updated guidelines to reflect the two-mask call from experts. Current guidelines still recommend wearing masks that have two or more layers of breathable, washable fabric. A CDC report published in November 2020 shows cloth masks with multiple layers can potentially block 50-70% of fine droplets that carry the virus; however, it’s unclear whether or not those masks will still be as effective against different forms of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, there are now several new strains of coronavirus circulating around the globe. In the US, experts are most concerned about the B.1.1.7 variant, which originated in the UK and has now been detected in at least 14 states. B.1.1.7 is estimated to be a minimum of 50% more contagious than previous strains, and experts fear the higher rate of spread could result in a sharp increase in infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The calls for two masks are an attempt to get ahead of the spread.
A commentary on masks published January 15 and funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institutes of Health says wearing a surgical mask underneath a cloth mask could offer “maximal protection.” In this setup, the surgical mask acts as a filter while the cloth mask ensures a snug fit and provides an additional layer of protection.
Over a million new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the US between January 21 and January 28. The Biden administration is taking steps to increase the distribution of vaccines, but it could be months before vaccinations make a meaningful difference in the state of the pandemic. In the meantime, it is still important to continue to socially distance, avoid gatherings, limit non-essential outings and follow the most up-to-date guidance on stopping the spread of the virus. Wearing two masks is a simple step that could help prevent new infections and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
