The Ministry of Health of Malaysia (KKM) recently shared the effectiveness of double masking and why members of the public should familiarise themselves with this practice. It’s not mandatory but if you’re staying in a high-risk area, you might want to consider protecting yourself using this method.
Double masking has even been validated by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as it was said to give extra protection, especially in high-risk areas.
According to an infographic by the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir that was cited by India Today, double-masking blocks 85.4% of the virus compared to a single disposable mask which only blocks out 56.1% of the virus. Meanwhile, a knotted disposable mask effectively blocks 77% of the virus and a cloth mask blocks 51.4%.
Here’s the correct way to double mask:
- Layer a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask
- Make sure to use a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric
Reminder: The cloth mask should push the edges of the disposable mask against your face so it leaves no gap.
- Do not combine two disposable masks as it’s not designed to fit tightly.
- Do not combine two KN95 masks since you can only wear one at a time.
However, this practice is completely optional. If you’re planning on double masking, make sure you can breathe and see easily. It’s still sufficient to wear just one mask though, as long as you wear it properly and practice proper physical distancing.
This article was first published in: World of Buzz
