N-95 vs cloth vs surgical masks: All you need to know about masking for Covid-19

As the nation battles a gruesome second wave, face masks and social distancing have become more important than ever before. As you might already know, the novel coronavirus spreads mostly from person to person through respiratory droplets.

Face masks have proven to be a simple but effective barrier to help curtail the spread. Whether you feel sick or not, you have to wear a mask whenever you are around people whose whereabouts you cannot account for.

But as the pandemic takes a deadly turn, here’s a lowdown on the different type of masks and which one should you be wearing to protect yourself.

N95 MASK
The N95 is the most effective mask, blocking at least 95 per cent of microparticles. Due to their being a critical and limited supply, WHO recommends that only health workers, Covid-19 care providers and people who have virus symptoms wear the N95 mask.

MEDICAL MASK
Medical or surgical masks generally spotted in blue or green, are a grade below N95 in protection. They are designed for single-use and should not be washed. Wear the medical mask in situations where your mask is likely to get wet or dirty. Medical masks are recommended for high-risk groups including people above the age of 60 and people with co-morbidities.

WARNING: MASK WITH VALVES
Masks with exhalation valves are not recommended for Covid-19 protection. The hole in the material may allow your respiratory droplets to escape and reach others.

HOMEMADE CLOTH MASK
Homemade cloth masks became popular amid a shortage of medical protective supplies. Your cloth mask should have two to three layers, be opaque enough to filter particles but allow breathability. WHO recommends people with no Covid-19 symptoms to wear the cloth mask in areas where the coronavirus is widespread and a social distance of at least 1 metre cannot be maintained. Remember to wash your cloth mask in warm water after every use!

FACE SHIELD
You might have seen many health workers wearing the plastic shield. But face shields are not a substitute for masks. They are not effective in preventing droplet spread but can be worn as an added layer of protection with a mask.

Now that you know which mask to choose, make sure you always keep both your mouth and nose covered. Do not wear a loose mask and wash your hands before and after touching one.

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The second wave of Covid-19 is wreaking havoc across the country. In such a situation, the government and health experts have advised people to stay safe at home, wear masks and follow social distancing. Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made a new revelation about mask-wearing. CDC experts say that wearing two masks instead of one mask is more effective.

The practice, which is called double masking, is more than 90 per cent effective in preventing droplets of the infection from going into the body.

In this video, we will understand what is double masking, how to wear two masks together and when do you need to double mask.

First of all, what is double masking?

Double masking means wearing two masks together, one of which is a surgical mask and the other is a mask made with ordinary cloth. You can also pair two cloth masks together.

Why do you need to double mask?

The CDC study found that masks are most effective at preventing coronavirus spread when they can fit tightly on your face. Without a knot, the surgical mask can prevent up to 56.1 per cent of particles whereas the cloth mask alone can prevent about 51.4 per cent of particles, as per the study. In this case, a knotted and tied surgical mask and a cloth mask, when worn together are up to 85.4 per cent effective in preventing particles.

What to do after double masking?

After wearing a double mask, walk around a little bit to check if you have any trouble breathing. If you find it hard to breathe, do not wear a double mask.

What not to do when double masking?

Do not wear two surgical masks on top of each other
Do not wear any other mask over an N95 mask
When should you double mask?

Going out of the house
Going to the doctor
Travelling
Going to a crowded place
Above everything else, remember that when it comes to masking, a snug fit is the most important thing.