double masks

[staceybeaker]

I saw someone on CNN (from the US) talking about wearing a surgical type mask with a fabric one over as being far better protection (he did say the percentage increase and it was a lot but I can't remember now) and I wondered why that hasn't been in the news here - anybody heard of this?

It'll be better than cloth alone, as cloth are usually useless.

Double masking of surgical masks is wasteful nonsense.

I expect triple masks is even more effective, so why just stop at two?

Maybe just wrap our heads in cling film too just to be sure?

@Sparklingbrook

Maybe just wrap our heads in cling film too just to be sure?

Yes it's safer and it's something I'm going to start doing when we have to go out again.

I think it is because of the new variants.
Many cloth masks are single or thin double layer so don't give much protection but they will add to a basic surgical mask and often cover gaps at the sides
I wouldn't do it all the time but may start for the supermarket

Well I had an antenatal appointment not too long ago, before the appointment the consultant called me to check that I was attending and told me to bring a mask. I said I always do when I leave the house, she then said as cases were very high in our area and especially in hospital settings, it would be a good idea to double up if I felt comfortable with it. Sounds like good advice to me if it’s coming from a consultant.

There was a thread on this the other day.
I noticed a lot of people doing it at the Inauguration of President Biden.

Yes I saw someone talking about it on twitter

They were talking about it on BBC News today. One suggestion was to wear a surgical mask + a cloth mask, then you get the benefits of both. A surgical mask on its own tends to not fit very well and has gaps on the sides, and adding a cloth mask on top can make it a better fit, and adds more layers of course. Seemed like a great idea.

2boysand1princess

Presumably the consultant was an obstetrician rather than a respiratory specialist or epidemiologist?!

I’m married to a consultant. He talks shite sometimes! Blind faith is a dangerous thing.

How does one breathe in two masks? I struggle with one. Love the cling film comment.

Funnily enough I’ve been doing it, because the cloth ones I ordered are not triple layer and I don’t like looking clinical in the blue ones constantly.

I didn’t know I was improving my protection. Go me 😂

It's the advice of the CDC here in the US to wear 2 masks if you are not wearing a N95, a cloth and a surgical.

Performatively following COVID regulations in public to signal virtue (while bending the rules in private like having friends over and traveling) has become a religion for half of the U.S. Doubling masks is just more of the silliness. I find it difficult to breathe wearing just one. I literally cannot imagine wearing two.

I’ve done it in a couple of circumstances (attending a funeral and at the shops) and I’m going to continue to do it in any places I feel are more high risk now we have these new strains. If people want to take the piss and feel superior then feel free!

I’ll stick with my single mask. I don’t think they really work but I wear it in shops and hospitals.

I often wear a disposable mask with a Seasalt scarf/snood pulled up over it.

I live by one of the 'doomed' postcodes where they've found more SA variants. We've always had high rates here and I know a number of people with Covid right now.

Whatever masks I wear my glasses still steam up but this is the best combination for me.

I've started to double mask if I'm unavoidably close to people. Breathing it in is fine.

Staff manning the doors in supermarkets-

'I am sorry you can't come in you are only wearing one mask' (after peering very carefully at the customer for a few minutes trying to work it out)

Could be interesting.

I've been doing this.
I was shocked at how poor the surgical masks were and wear a thick cotton one over the top if I'm inside a building.

If I'd have to go to an environment where I know there could be higher rate of infection (hospital for example) I wouldn't hesitate one second to double mask. The surgical masks are gapping at the side (why don't they improve their design???) and cotton masks are not very efficient. So I would definitely do it, especially with what we know about the new variant. I'd be unlikely to double mask in a supermarket (not that I go that often, and I go when it's quiet).

I can’t wait for the “you’re only wearing one mask? Granny killer” type posts. We should all be wearing at least 3!

My mum does this to stop her glasses fogging up. Not two masks but a little strip of extra fabric inside her mask.

If I'd have to go to an environment where I know there could be higher rate of infection (hospital for example) I wouldn't hesitate one second to double mask

I would too. Shouldn't be compulsory but I wanted to pass this on as it hasn't been publicised in the UK and might be helpful to someone

I would too. Shouldn't be compulsory but I wanted to pass this on as it hasn't been publicised in the UK and might be helpful to someone

It was useful information and I’m glad you passed it on. I have severe asthma so I want to be cautious. Lots of us have reason to be cautious, and snippets of solid information is better than constantly second guessing.

The pisstakers can do what they like.