Double masking: What health experts say you need to know

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Health experts say the new COVID-19 variants are more contagious and possibly more deadly, causing many people to wonder if their current mask wearing is enough.

Experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci chimed in with his thoughts on double masking while appearing on the Today Show saying, “This is a physical covering to prevent droplets and virus to get in. So, if you have a physical covering with one layer, you got another layer on it just makes common sense that it would likely be more effective.”

However, not everyone is worried about people wearing two masks, like Dr. Helmut Albrecht from Prisma Health. He says he wants everyone to be wearing a well-fitting mask, period.

“The masks are not better or worse against new strains,” he said. “Those are all physical attributes, and the physical attributes of these new strains are not any different.”

“It’s much more effective that both parties wear a mask than you wear two masks...but in 99 out of 100 situations, wearing two masks will not make a difference,” he said in terms of wearing two masks while out and about

Dr. Albrecht says if you choose not to wear two masks, the best one you can wear is a surgical grade mask, fitted snugly around your nose and mouth. Most importantly he noted, was the combination of mask wearing, social distancing, and the other current CDC protocols.

“All of these mechanisms - the distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, testing and tracing are all synergistic. So 1+1 = 3...meaning the more we can add to the mix, all of those play together.”

You can find all of the CDC’s latest guidelines on masks and COVID protocols here.

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