A doctor in Colorado recommends that you wear two masks, like a surgical mask with a cloth mask over it, for protection. But a third mask? Now that's just madness. It could interfere with your breathing at that point.
CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida spoke about those reports in an interview on CBSN Denver.
“Specifically what we’re saying is that two masks may actually equal the protection you would get from N-95 masks, which is considered the best mask there is short of a complete respirator-type unit,” Hnida said.
He said wearing a surgical mask with a cloth mask over it does give an extra layer of protection.
“The reason for that is you do wind up getting more filtration of viral particles, it becomes more of an obstacle course for the viral particle to make its way from the air into your nose and throat and then into your lungs.”
But three masks may be going too far, since that could interfere with the ability to breathe.