Double Up Coronavirus Masks, NYC: New Health Guidance

New York City NY

18 February, 2021

2:44 PM

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NEW YORK CITY — Two is better than one isn't just a good general rule — it's now official New York City guidance on how to wear masks against the coronavirus. New Yorkers should consider doubling up masks, the city's health Commissioner Dave Chokshi said Thursday. Chokshi said the new guidance follows identical recent CDC directions on mask wearing. "Using two masks is more effective at stopping the spread of the virus," he said. The two-mask recommendation isn't a blanket, one-size fits all rule. The guidance recommends New Yorkers over the age of 2 to wear snug fitting masks that have two or three layers of material. Alternatively, they can wear two masks for added protection, the guidance states. It warns, however, against wearing two disposable masks. Chokshi himself recommended wearing a cloth mask over a disposable covering. He said the guidance also recommends people 65 and older or with underlying health conditions wear a KN95 mask, which afford extra protection and are designed to be worn alone. Read the mask guidance here.