CDC Introduces New Mask Guidance

The CDC just released new directions with the most effective mask guidance, according to Gizmodo. Health experts now say layering two masks is the best way to prevent being exposed to Covid-19.

“I want to be clear that these new scientific data released today do not change the specific recommendations about who should wear a mask or when they should wear one, but they do provide new information on why wearing a well-fitting mask is so important to protect you and others,” Rochelle Walensky, the newly appointed CDC director, said.

The new guidance explains making sure masks fit tightly on the face, as well as wearing two masks, helped reduce the exposure to potentially infected sprays by more than 90 percent during lab experiments, according to Reuters. N95 and KN95 masks in particular, are better at preventing Covid-19 exposure than other masks.

In another experiment, when a simulation was conducted in which there was exposure to someone infected with Covid-19, if both people were wearing snug masks or two masks, the level of exposure was reduced by more than 95 percent.

Cloth masks have also been found to be more effective than no masks at all. Experts at the CDC suggest wearing a cloth mask that has many layers or coupling a cloth mask with a surgical mask is best.

John Brooks, medical officer at the CDC, said increasing protection against Covid-19 with masks is especially vital now since contagious Covid-19 variants have been discovered in several states nationwide.