Reminder that civilian masks are not to protect the wearer. They are to reduce the dispersion of a cough or sneeze.
Should I be wearing two masks?
31–40 of 46 posts
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#32The hospitals have been doing this from the beginning. There must be some truth to it. I think it's simple probability. A n95 mask lets in 5% of particles getting though. Layering two masks should effectually make a n99 mask ((1/20) * (1/20)) = 0.9975 The added mask only adds n4.9. It's probably a more effective use for second mask to go to someone who has a surgical mask. Let's do the math for surgical masks which a…
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Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#33A couple days dfter Fauci said "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." Which is quoted in the article he said: "There are many people who feel, if you really want to have an extra little bit of protection, maybe I should put two masks on. There's nothing wrong with that, but there's no data that indicates that that [double masking] is going to make a difference, and that is why the CDC has not changed their recommendation."
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#34The hospitals have been doing this from the beginning. There must be some truth to it. I think it's simple probability. A n95 mask lets in 5% of particles getting though. Layering two masks should effectually make a n99 mask ((1/20) * (1/20)) = 0.9975 The added mask only adds n4.9. It's probably a more effective use for second mask to go to someone who has a surgical mask. Let's do the math for surgical masks which a…
That's not how masks work.
The masks rating is mostly a function of leakage not filter material for the particles of concern (biological aerosols) and using multiple harder respirators can compromise fit or provide no benefit.
The rating percentage is for specific test setup. For biological aerosols, the result is quite different in that small particles are stopped by diffusion, and the filter rates tend to be better than rated for masks, as long as leakage is low.
Now, the situation is different with weak filtering materials such as used in surgical or cloth masks, but the result is not additive either.
Have you actually tested that the specific double N95 configuration even provides single N95 protection? (Esp. leakage) No? Then better not mess with the design.
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#35The hospitals have been doing this from the beginning. There must be some truth to it. I think it's simple probability. A n95 mask lets in 5% of particles getting though. Layering two masks should effectually make a n99 mask ((1/20) * (1/20)) = 0.9975 The added mask only adds n4.9. It's probably a more effective use for second mask to go to someone who has a surgical mask. Let's do the math for surgical masks which a…
Kudos to you. I agree with you a 100%. It was such a common sense thing. I was telling my friends back in Feb/March that they should make it mandatory. Sometimes experts get it wrong and it costs millions of lives. So sad..
Did they really? We all know more layers is better for this kind of diffusion filter. However, the other key variables are fit and leakage, where double masking tends to not help at all with respirators, but may with very soft masks.
We don't have any data that it does, though.
Usually people use sub par (cloth, surgical), badly fitted (loose rubber bands, misfitting nasal) masks or wear them wrong - the classic being a mask not covering the nose.
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#36No, but double masking will help until the real solution is acknowledged and implemented. Everyone should be wearing properly fit and sealed N95 masks from well known brands like 3M. Pieces of cloth that vaguely cover the mouth and nose but leave giant gaps do not protect the user very well. A proper 3M N95 that intentionally worn un-fit, with large gaps along the nose and sides becomes an ~N40. Unfit masks of any ty…
I was told I’m anti science for saying poorly fitting cloth masks don’t work :-(
I think they may help by reducing the velocity of the particles that are ejected from a persons mouth, making things safer for people around them. But a loose cloth bandana around your face probably won't stop a virus.
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#37For what its worth, I've seen KN95 masks and N95 masks being in stock from trustworthy retailers at reasonable prices (~$1 per mask) so I picked some up. My layman's assessment was that they did a significantly better job of sealing around the sides of the mask than the cloth masks I'd purchased early on or the surgical-type masks I'd more recently switched to. They also had the side benefit of not allowing air to escape out the top and fog up my glasses.
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#38Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#39Double masking - using a N95 and a cloth mask - works better because it protects you and others.
The N95 protects you, but many N95 masks have exhalation valves that blast particles away and make it easier for you to breath.
The cloth mask on top of the N95 protects others, by reduce the amount and distance of particles. This is especially true for N95 masks that have valves.
Re: Should I be wearing two masks?
#40The hospitals have been doing this from the beginning. There must be some truth to it. I think it's simple probability. A n95 mask lets in 5% of particles getting though. Layering two masks should effectually make a n99 mask ((1/20) * (1/20)) = 0.9975 The added mask only adds n4.9. It's probably a more effective use for second mask to go to someone who has a surgical mask. Let's do the math for surgical masks which a…
Most people are not wearing n95 masks, and the airflow seems to come out of the side of the normal ones.