WHO: Face masks made of fabric should have 3 layers

 The World Health Organization (WHO), this spring, recommended that all healthcare workers, those infected by COVID-19, as well as people caring for COVID-19 patients, wear medical masks to protect themselves from the virus. WHO updated its guidance on masks on June 5th, sharing details on non-medical masks and recommending that they be worn by a wider range of people.

WHO recommends wearing a three-layer N95 Face Mask whenever you are in public areas where social distancing cannot be achieved. If you're 60 years old or have an underlying medical condition, you should wear a medical face mask to avoid physical distancing.

WHO stresses the importance of masks in preventing the spread COVID-19. According to WHO guidance, "Current evidence indicates that the majority of transmission of COVID-19 occurs from symptomatic individuals to others in close proximity, when appropriate [personal protective gear] is not worn."

What should fabric masks be made of?

This guidance explains in detail what these three-layered fabric masks should consist of.

• A layer of absorbent material like cotton is added to the inner layer.
• Non-woven materials like polypropylene can be used as a middle layer to serve as a barrier or filter.
• An outer layer of non-absorbent materials, such as polyester or a blend thereof

WHO advises against using stretchy materials. They have poor filtration and can be sensitive to high temperatures.

How to upgrade your current mask

Most likely, you already own a mask or multiple masks that do not meet the WHO criteria. You can make minor adjustments to your mask without purchasing a new one.

It's possible, Suzanne Willard, PhD, a clinical professor and associate dean for global health at the Rutgers School of Nursing, told Verywell. She stresses the importance of breathing. She expressed concern that people might get too hot due to the lack of airflow.

These are some things that you can do to improve a basic cloth facial cover to comply with WHO standards.

• Two pairs of shoes. "If you have multiple masks at home you can layer them."David Cennimo, MDVerywell was told by a director of East Orange VA Medical Center, and an assistant professor of medicine infectious disease at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He agreed with Willard's concern about not being able to breathe well.
• You can add a filter to your face. Willard explained that you can cut a seam in the existing mask to insert a filter like a coffee filter. This filter can be removed when you wash your mask. You can either throw it away or reuse it later.
• Be Creativity. "Anything you can think of is likely to be good."Andres Romero, MDVerywell was told by a Providence Saint John's Health Center infectious disease specialist in Santa Monica, CA. You want a mask that fits tightly and has at least three layers. However, anything is better than none, especially in situations where social distance is difficult to maintain.

Are there more layers that make a difference?

Even the best fabric face masks aren't as efficient as medical-grade masks, like N95 respirators.1 Medical masks can filter out up to 95% of aerosolized particles, while cloth face masks have only been shown to filter out anywhere from 0.7% to 60% of particles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that medial masks be used only for first responders and healthcare workers.

However, wearing a multiple-layered fabric mask could help prevent a second round of COVID-19 infection. WHO considers non-medical masks a benefit in source control.

Cennimo stated that a mask can catch any droplet particles produced by you. Multiple layers of a mask make it more likely that they will do this.

A word from Verywell's Medical Review Board

"Masking is the best and easiest way to stop coronavirus spreading. This is especially important because we don't have a vaccine. To protect yourself, you don't have to buy a medical mask. A cloth face cover can be purchased or made with three layers. The middle layer should contain a filter, even a coffee filter made of paper. Remember that masking should be used in conjunction with social distancing, not instead!