Do I need to double my face mask?Expert weighted

Toronto-Some experts may consider upgrading face masks, doubling mask layers, or wearing them outdoors as more infectious variants of COVID-19 continue to spread. It states that there is.

Dr. Gerard Evans, chair of the Infectious Diseases Division at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, told CTVNews.ca Thursday that higher quality masking and masking practices may be needed as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Said not.

“There has always been a strong suggestion of a” better “barrier. [regarding] Masks are likely to be more efficient at reducing infections from droplets and short-range aerosols, “Evans said in an email.

“Generally speaking, medical masks are better than non-medical masks and have multiple layers. [or] Three non-medical masks are better than three-layer non-medical masks, “he explained.

With this in mind, Evans said wearing two medical masks under a reusable cloth mask “may be better than one.” However, he said, “current evidence does not support that variants require” more “PPE or masking to reduce infection.”

“As long as PPE is used properly and consistently, it works,” Evans said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the best infectious disease expert in the United States, suggested to NBC on Monday: Double masking may increase the level of protection From COVID-19 and its variants.

“If you’re physically covering one layer, layer another. It’s not surprising that it’s more likely to be more effective, so people perform double masking or the N95 version. “I’m doing it,” said Forch.

However, Fauci seems to have turned back his comments on Wednesday’s appearance on CNN’s Town Hall, emphasizing that Americans will follow the CDC’s guidance. No need to wear two masks..

Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Teresatum proposed in November Canadians begin to wear a face cover made up of three layers, one of which is a filter.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), non-medical masks must be made of at least three layers, two of which must be a cloth of a tightly woven material such as cotton or linen. The third intermediate layer should be a filter type cloth such as polypropylene non-woven fabric.

Reusable masks that already have a non-woven filter layer built in need to be washed daily and can be washed multiple times. Those with disposable filters should be replaced daily according to updated guidelines or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Dr. Anna Banergi, director of global and indigenous health at the University of Toronto’s Temarty School of Medicine, suggested that Canadians may also want to consider wearing it. Face mask outdoors in certain situations Helps reduce potential transmissions.

Banerji told CTV News.ca Thursday that certain areas could be unexpectedly crowded. In such situations, Canadians may need to cover their faces if physical distance becomes impossible.

“If you’re outside and walking near people, it’s a good idea to wear a mask,” Banerji said in a telephone interview.

Regardless of the number of layers in the mask, wearing the mask remains important as variants emerge, says Banerji.

Banerji explained that PHAC’s updated guidelines do not mean that fabric masks or double-layer masks are no longer effective. She said these masks still work, but more layers provide more protection.

She said that those who do not have a three-layer mask with a filter should consider wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath the cloth mask.

More than masking

The first identified COVID-19 mutants in South Africa and the United Kingdom began to spread in Canada, but Colin Furness, an infectious disease epidemiology expert at the University of Toronto, told CTVNews.ca Thursday that all public compliance He said it was important to maintain. Health guidelines.

The· A variant known as B117 discovered in the United KingdomIs estimated to be at least 56% more susceptible to infection among humans than the original coronavirus strain as a result of a series of mutations. In recent weeks, European countries have begun mandating medical-grade masks in public to help fight mutants.

However, Furness warned that there is not yet enough data on the new variant to know if a multi-layer double mask is actually effective.

“A higher quality mask, a three-layer mask, has the potential to protect the wearer a bit more. That’s the idea … but we don’t have any data or experience with more contagious variants.” Furnes said in a telephone interview.

Researchers have learned more about the latest subspecies behavior from outbreaks in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but Furness has found that these countries have different climates, different populations and different populations that affect the COVID-19 epidemic. He emphasized that there are cultural and various health restrictions.

Furness said the best way to protect himself from this variant is to limit contact.

“If you’re trying to improve your personal safety, the mask isn’t as important as keeping you away from others. Improving your mask will almost always improve the safety of those around you,” Furnes said. ..

He added that having a better quality face cover and a mask with more layers would prevent Canadians from gathering with friends and family.

Although there is “reasonable evidence” that this variant is more contagious than the original strain, Dr. Matthew Outon, an infectious disease specialist at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, continues to follow all public health guidelines. You must provide appropriate protection as stated in the email to CTVNews.ca.

“This is still SARS-CoV-2, and all working precautions such as physical distance, mask and face covering, good ventilation, hand hygiene, etc. will continue to apply. A careful approach is the basis for these. To reinforce the importance of the matter. Which mutants may or may not be present in the population, “said Oughton.