How to Double-Mask Effectively

It’s been a wild 2020 and beyond, am I right?

Wearing a mask has been the norm, but we need to wear them correctly for maximum protection from both pollution and airborne diseases like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), double-masking using a medical mask and a cloth mask can help reduce the transmission of and exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Healthline also provided additional information on how to and how not to double mask. Per the CDC, layering a cloth mask over a knotted surgical mask, when fitted correctly, is the best option. There’s no need to double-mask when wearing a KN95 or N95 mask, as those are already a snug fit and filter up to 95% of particles.

While wearing two masks may make it feel like it’s slightly difficult to breathe, it does not reduce oxygen supply.

Here is a quick tutorial of how to fit your surgical mask more snuggly over your face before layering with a cloth mask on top.