Here is the latest regarding face masks and Covid. I hope this is helpful to many.
Taking into account their study findings and the results of other studies, the Virginia Tech researchers recommended people wear a "three-layer mask consisting of two outer layers of a very flexible, tightly woven fabric and an inner layer consisting of a material designed to filter out particles," such as a "high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter."
The researchers also suggested that masks should be well-fitted and not have any gaps between fabric and the face. If all conditions are met, the study found that the mask's "overall efficiency would be greater than 90%."
Dr. Chris Beyrer, a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, who was not affiliated with the new study, told TODAY that layers in a mask can contribute to its efficacy. "The layers do help, because they filter out the smaller aerosols," he said.
Should you wear two face masks to make them more effective?
It's important to make sure that your mask has enough layers of fabric to be effective, but some, including President-elect Joe Biden, have been seen wearing multiple masks at once. Experts say that this is an extra step that can help limit any "leakage" of air, but isn't necessary in most cases.
"For all the rest of us, a second mask may reduce 'leakage' and could be a reasonable thing to do, particularly for public-facing employees such as teachers, grocery cashiers and bus drivers," said Dr. Sten Vermund, dean of the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut, noting that medical professionals wearing fitted N95 masks should avoid adding an extra layer.
"There is no harm to dual masking unless someone were to have trouble breathing, but this is rare in mask use unless someone has prior respiratory limitations such as severe COPD."
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