In light of the emerging new strains of coronavirus, UAE doctors have said that wearing properly-fitted surgical masks or doubling up masks can offer more protection and reduce Covid-19 and new rapidly spreading strains transmission significantly.

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) too has underlined the finding that a good fit mask can increase protection. Dr. Shipra Rai, Internal Medicine specialist, Prime Medical Centre, Al Qasimia said, “This CDC study compared wearing no mask, a poorly fitted surgical mask, cloth-only mask and double-masking in a simulation of respiratory droplets between two people – a source and a receiver. The study found when people wear a well-fitted surgical mask covered by a cloth mask they can increase their own protection from aerosol droplets by 95 per cent or more.”

Dr Zeeshan Anwar, general practitioner, Aster Rafa Poly Clinic – International City, said, “One has to start with a surgical mask and put a cloth mask on top of it. It gives an excellent filtration blocking respiratory droplets and reducing exposure, especially when we have new Covid mutations around the globe.”

“Double masking will give us additional protection as Covid-19 the common portal of entry is through the nose. So, the face mask should be kept above the nose. Many times, we see people covering the mouth only, not the nose then there is no point in wearing the mask if the nose remains uncovered”, said Dr Sunil Vyas, specialist pulmonology, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais.

The study has its limitations. It does not say anything for men with beard and facial hair that can deter proper fitting of mask, and also in case of children who have smaller faces. Furthermore, the study doesn’t compare two surgical or two cloth masks. “Don’t combine two disposable masks because disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and wearing more than one will not improve fit. Also don’t layer another mask on top of N95 or KN95, these should be used alone,” said Dr Anil Grover specialist internal medicine, Prime Hospital.

Another problem hovering is that most of the surgical masks available in consumer market currently are not of medical grade. They are but still made of polypropylene – a non-woven fabric that repels viral particles electrostatically. This makes them still a lot more effective in offering protection. Problem is with masks that fit loosely leaving gaps which can lead to movement of virus in and out.

“Whether wearing two masks would offer better protection or reduce the transmission of Covid-19 depends on the type of the face mask. There are different types of face masks available of which, N95 is known to be the best and offers maximum protection. The N95 mask blocks 95 per cent of the particles. So if a person is wearing an N95 mask, then there is no need for an additional one,” said Dr Alaa Zedan, specialist internal medicine, Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery, Dubai.