If You're Still Doing This, Your Mask Isn't Protecting You, Study Says - Yahoo Lifestyle

Wearing a mask is an undeniably essential element in fighting COVID.

Read on to find out why wearing a mask might actually increase your risk of contracting COVID.

2021 study published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, researchers at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine found that individuals who regularly wear masks may be at a greater risk of contracting COVID because they're ignoring other public safety protocols.

The study in question, which removed essential workers with higher daily contacts from the analyzed data set, found that individuals who wore masks more regularly had more daily contact with others than those who were not regular mask-wearers.

As such, those who wore masks but ignored other COVID safety recommendations ended up developing the virus at higher rates than those who didn't wear masks, but had fewer social contacts.

"Masks don't give you a free pass to see as many people as you want," added van den Broek-Altenburg, noting that even people who wear masks regularly still need to "strictly limit" contact with others.

Instead, the agency recommends wearing masks with a snug fit around both your nose and chin with no gapping on the sides.

Instead, the CDC recommends wearing a mask made of material that has a tight weave, meaning you can't see light through it when it's held in front of a lamp or other source of illumination.

While the CDC recommends against wearing a ski mask as a primary means of protection for yourself or others, that doesn't mean you need to forgo one entirely when it's cold outside.

However, if you're going to wear a ski mask for warmth, the CDC suggests wearing it over your breathable, multi-layered mask, cautioning, "Scarves, ski masks and balaclavas are not substitutes for masks.".

Powecom is one of the only KN95 mask brands recommended by the FDA.

Powecom is one of the only KN95 mask brands recommended by the FDA.

Amazon has become a popular place to find cloth face masks during a time where medical-grade masks are in high demand