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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new study and recommendation on how to better protect one's self against the coronavirus.

For total protection, the CDC advises the public to double-mask or wear a cloth mask over a surgical mask and making sure that the masks fit snugly against the face.

The recommendations were based on laboratory studies conducted by the CDC simulating coughs, breathing, and how masks block aerosol particles.

The test compared the effects on a person with no mask and wearing cloth and a surgical mask.

Two tests were also conducted wherein a cloth mask was put over a surgical mask, and tying the knots on the ear loops of surgical masks before tucking in and flattening excess material against the face.

The tests showed significant strong protection against aerosols and infectious air particles.

“The effectiveness of cloth and medical procedure masks can be improved by ensuring that they are well fitted to the contours of the face to prevent leakage of air around the masks' edges,” the report said.

In lab tests with dummies, exposure to potentially infectious aerosols decreased by about 95% when they both wore tightly fitted masks, a new @CDCMMWR finds. #WearAMask that fits tightly to your face to stop the spread of #COVID19. More: https://t.co/gi3OLBCnWi. pic.twitter.com/Jt55LUECER

-- CDC (@CDCgov) February 10, 2021

It further added, “The receiver's exposure was maximally reduced (>95%) when the source and receiver were fitted with modified medical procedure masks.

“These laboratory-based experiments highlight the importance of good fit to optimize mask performance. Until vaccine-induced population immunity is achieved, universal masking is a highly effective means to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 when combined with other protective measures, such as physical distancing, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and good hand hygiene.

“Innovative efforts to improve the fit of cloth and medical procedure masks to enhance their performance merit attention.”

Updated recommendations

Because of this latest development, the CDC has also modified its guidelines on the wearing of face mask:

• Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the mask.
• Pick a mask with layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others out. A mask with layers will stop more respiratory droplets from getting inside your mask or escaping from your mask if you are sick.

Do:

Choose a mask with a nose wire

• A nose wire is a metal strip along the top of the mask
• Nose wires prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
• Bend the nose wire over your nose to fit close to your face.

Use a mask fitter or brace

• Use a mask fitter or brace over a disposable mask or a cloth mask to prevent air from leaking around the edges of the mask.

Check that it fits snugly over your nose, mouth, and chin

• Check for gaps by cupping your hands around the outside edges of the mask.
• Make sure no air is flowing from the area near your eyes or from the sides of the mask.
• If the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air come through the front of the mask and may be able to see the mask material move in and out with each breath.

Add layers of material

Two ways to layer (make sure you can see and breathe easily)

• Use a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric.
• Wear one disposable mask underneath a cloth mask. The second mask should push the edges of the inner mask against your face.

Knot and tuck ear loops of a three-ply mask

• Knot the ear loops of a three-ply face mask where they join the edge of the mask.
• Fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges.

Do not:

Combine two disposable masks

• Disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and wearing more than one will not improve fit.

Combine a KN95 mask with any other mask.

• Only use one KN95 mask at a time.

Source: www.cdc.gov