CDC Does Not Recommend Two Face Masks

News circulating on social media that last week Dr. Anthony Fauci Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends wearing two face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some articles went far enough to suggest the need to wear three or even four masks. Fauci went on live video saying “if you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective,”  Fauci further says that the CDC may recommend that people wear two masks. Less than a week later it appears he has revised his suggestion of wearing more than one mask. He is recorded saying if one wants to have extra protection and wears two masks “there is nothing wrong with that but there’s no data that indicates that that is going to make a difference.”

A few days later on a CNN Town Hall show Fauci answered questions on wearing double masks, reiterating his latter stance that there is no sufficient evidence that two masks are more effective and therefore the CDC does not recommend it. Given the lack of evidence, it does not appear that the CDC will recommend doubling up unless the research is conducted proving improved effectiveness. WHO country representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe said "it depends on what kind of masks you are wearing, medical or surgical masks, we don't think there is a necessity for two masks." It appears Fauci made those initial comments (two masks being better than one) without consulting the CDC on their stance thereby needing to change his statements afterward. His contradictory announcements caused some public confusion, misleading people into thinking that wearing two masks offered better protection while this has not been proven. Currently, the CDC only recommends wearing a single cloth mask with two or more layers emphasizing the importance of the quality of the material and the fit and these factors are what increase effectiveness. Ideally, the mask should snugly fit the nose and mouth with no gaps.