<p>Japanese supercomputer simulations showed that wearing two masks gave limited benefit in blocking viral spread compared with one properly fitted mask.</p>.<p>The findings in part contradict recent recommendations from the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that two masks were better than one at reducing a person's exposure to the coronavirus.</p>.<p>Researchers used the Fugaku supercomputer to model the flow of virus particles from people wearing different types and combinations of masks, according to a study released on Thursday by research giant Riken and Kobe University.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/mumbai-police-chief-orders-cops-to-collect-12000-fines-daily-from-those-not-wearing-a-mask-957575.html" target="_blank">Mumbai Police chief orders cops to collect 12,000 fines daily from those not wearing a mask</a></strong></p>.<p>Using a single surgical-type mask, made of non-woven material, had 85 per cent effectiveness in blocking particles when worn tightly around the nose and face. Adding a polyurethane mask on top boosted the effectiveness to just 89 per cent.</p>.<p>Wearing two non-woven masks isn't useful because air resistance builds up and causes leakage around the edges.</p>.<p>"The performance of double masking simply does not add up," wrote the researchers, led by Makoto Tsubokura.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/do-i-need-to-wear-a-mask-even-after-getting-my-covid-19-shot-939617.html" target="_blank">Do I need to wear a mask even after getting my Covid-19 shot?</a></strong></p>.<p>In general, professional-grade N95 masks were the best in protecting against infection, followed by non-woven masks, cloth masks, and finally polyurethane types, the study showed.</p>.<p>The Riken research team previously used the Fugaku supercomputer to model how humidity can affect viral contagion and the infection risks in trains, workspaces, and other environments.</p>.<p>As the Covid-19 epidemic has worn on, scientific consensus has grown that the virus is spread through the air and masks are effective in controlling contagion.</p>
<p>Japanese supercomputer simulations showed that wearing two masks gave limited benefit in blocking viral spread compared with one properly fitted mask.</p>.<p>The findings in part contradict recent recommendations from the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that two masks were better than one at reducing a person's exposure to the coronavirus.</p>.<p>Researchers used the Fugaku supercomputer to model the flow of virus particles from people wearing different types and combinations of masks, according to a study released on Thursday by research giant Riken and Kobe University.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/mumbai-police-chief-orders-cops-to-collect-12000-fines-daily-from-those-not-wearing-a-mask-957575.html" target="_blank">Mumbai Police chief orders cops to collect 12,000 fines daily from those not wearing a mask</a></strong></p>.<p>Using a single surgical-type mask, made of non-woven material, had 85 per cent effectiveness in blocking particles when worn tightly around the nose and face. Adding a polyurethane mask on top boosted the effectiveness to just 89 per cent.</p>.<p>Wearing two non-woven masks isn't useful because air resistance builds up and causes leakage around the edges.</p>.<p>"The performance of double masking simply does not add up," wrote the researchers, led by Makoto Tsubokura.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/do-i-need-to-wear-a-mask-even-after-getting-my-covid-19-shot-939617.html" target="_blank">Do I need to wear a mask even after getting my Covid-19 shot?</a></strong></p>.<p>In general, professional-grade N95 masks were the best in protecting against infection, followed by non-woven masks, cloth masks, and finally polyurethane types, the study showed.</p>.<p>The Riken research team previously used the Fugaku supercomputer to model how humidity can affect viral contagion and the infection risks in trains, workspaces, and other environments.</p>.<p>As the Covid-19 epidemic has worn on, scientific consensus has grown that the virus is spread through the air and masks are effective in controlling contagion.</p>