GEE AND URSULA

Two features a virologist says matter most for face masks

Jan 26, 2021, 5:30 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm

mask wearing, masks, public health...

(MyNorthwest photo)

(MyNorthwest photo)

Some disease experts have suggested wearing two masks to better protect yourself from the more transmissible variants of COVID-19 making their way around the globe, one of which has now been detected in Washington state.

But virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen told KIRO Radio’s Gee and Ursula Show it’s the fit of the masks that matters, and the number of layers.

First cases of UK COVID-19 variant found in Washington

“You really want to make sure that that mask is fitting snugly to your face and there’s no leaks around the edges [where] any air can get in, because then you might as just well not wear anything,” she said.

Dr. Rasmussen says you can wear two masks to create a better seal, but it’s more important that your masks are more than one layer and fit snugly to your face. She says single-layer masks, gaiters, and bandannas do not provide adequate protection.

“Make sure that rather than wearing a neck gaiter or something that’s single-ply, you’re wearing a mask that does have multiple layers and ideally has a filter inside of it,” Rasmussen said.

Virologist: COVID-19 vaccines provide ‘hope that the end is in sight’

If you can smell perfume, cooking food, or cigarette smoke while wearing a mask, Dr. Rasmussen says it does not mean that your mask is worthless against coronavirus. The virus is bigger than chemicals and gasses, and it cannot get through a good mask that’s fitted properly.

“You can certainly smell volatile compounds, like perfume, through an N95 mask even when it’s properly fitted, but that doesn’t mean that the mask is not protecting you against the particles that will actually contain virus,” Rasmussen said.

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Rasmussen online here.

Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Gee and Ursula Show

Gee and Ursula

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

10 hours ago

Photo: Yale players, including guard Yassine Gharram, center, celebrate with fans after their 78-76...

Julia Dallas

Gee and Ursula: Idaho band turns ‘Van-Dogs’ as they rep. Yale for March Madness

Yale took down Auburn in a major upset during March Madness. But, they might've not been able to do it without the help of a marching band.

3 days ago

boeing negligence...

Ursula Reutin

Ursula: Boeing has finally taken a step in the right direction

Boeing CEO David Calhoun acknowledged that the mid-air blowout of an Alaska Airlines door panel was a watershed.

3 days ago

Image: Photo of "The Ascent" by Larry Anderson...

Julia Dallas

‘Gee and Ursula’: Bonney Lake mayor search reveals ‘tea’ on candidate

The City of Bonney Lake is searching for a new mayor after the former mayor accepted a job with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

10 days ago

Both President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump have locked the nomination for their respectiv...

Bill Kaczaraba

Medved: ‘People didn’t really know (or care) there was a primary’

Medved believes that people are unhappy with their choices during this presidential cycle.

12 days ago

Photo: The homeless encampment outside city hall is being moved around Burien to another home at Do...

Ursula Reutin

Ursula: The Burien homeless crisis highlights an even bigger problem

Because of the lack of alternatives, the King County Sheriff has ordered her deputies to not enforce a camping ban in Burien.

16 days ago

Two features a virologist says matter most for face masks