We’re still deep into the COVID-19 pandemic, with there being no end in sight as to when we’ll finally be able to go out without a mask again.
As much of a bother it may be, wearing a mask does indeed help curb the spread of the virus, unlike what some people may say on the other side of the globe – it’s for the greater good, after all.
However, as the famous saying goes, two is always better than one, right?
Experiments Show Using Two Snugly Fitting Masks Are Better
US health officials revealed on 10 Feb that laboratory experiments conducted showed that using two masks and ensuring that they fit snugly on one’s face can likely significantly reduce the exposure of a person to the COVID-19 virus.
Earlier in January, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted experiments. These aimed to find out the effectiveness of wearing a cloth mask over a three-ply surgical mask and tightening the loops of the surgical mask while tucking in the excess material close to one’s face for protection against the virus.
Both methods were found to actually have a 90% reduction rate against reducing the exposure to potentially infected aerosols (air borne particles) in a laboratory setting.
As compared to wearing no mask at all, wearing a mask did indeed help in reducing significant exposure to aerosol particles that were the same size as COVID-19 particles. Yep, wearing a mask has really been proven to work many times.
Double Masking Protects Up To 92.5% Of Particles
However, just wearing a mask doesn’t insure you from contracting the virus, for wearing a mask works best when worn correctly and in the right fit, highlighted CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
She added that reusable devices such as mask fitters are also available to improve the fit of a mask.
One experiment they did with a simulated cough showed that 42% of particles were blocked by using only an un-knotted medical mask, while 43% was blocked by using only a cloth mask.
When both masks were used together, it blocked a whopping 92.5% of cough particles. Impressive, right?
Another experiment involved simulating a situation of COVID-19 spreading between two people just by breathing, in which one or both people were properly masked.
When only the source of the infected aerosols had a mask on, they found that 82.2% of coronavirus exposure was reduced when double-masking, as compared to 62.9% when using a snug fitting, knotted and tucked surgical mask.
The exposure of the receiver was reduced by 96.4% when both the source and receiver were fitted with two masks, and when both were wearing knotted and tucked medical masks, the reduction rate was at 95.9%.
CDC medical officer John Brooks said regarding the experiments and the spread of more highly contagious variants that they would do “whatever we can do to improve the fit of a mask to make it work better, the faster we can end this pandemic.”
Although we’re not quite sure how much more difficult it will be to breathe, especially for those who have asthma or related medical conditions, here’s something you can try when you go out for that extra security.
To know more about how masks can stop the spread of the virus, watch this video to the end (and please subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos, too!):
Featured Image: Chaiyoot Wilipun / Shutterstock.com
Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:
Read Also:
- Woman Tried Bribing Officer in S’pore Immigration, Thinking It’s a M’sia Officer
- There Might Not Be Crazy Rich Asians 2 in the Near Future
- Everything About Donald Trump’s Controversial Cabinet’s Picks That Are Known So Far
- Pet-Friendly Cafe Just 10 Minutes Away From JB CIQ Has Furry Floral Decor, Pastries & Mains
- 4 Handrolls For S$4 At Japanese Handroll Bar In Duxton Road On 17 November 2024
- Everything About The Deepfake Nude Photo Scandal in S’pore Sports School
Advertisements
