NCH doctor reminds you to wear more effective masks to help prevent COVID-19 spread

Not all masks are created equal, and not all masks will protect you and your family on Thanksgiving.

There’s a simple test you can perform to make sure a mask will work and keep everyone healthy this holiday season.

We tested masks for ourselves Wednesday. Reporter Breana Ross wore a neck gaiter while trying to blow out a flame, and she was successful blowing out the flame of a lighter in her first attempt. With a double-layered, cloth mask, she was unable to blow out the flame whatsoever.

“They offer a good level of protection,” said Dr. David Lindner Lindner of double-layered masks.

Thanksgiving 2020 is about more than preparing the turkey. Doctors say, if you are going to gather with people outside of your household, you also need to be prepared with the right mask. Some face coverings might not make the cut.

“The neck gaiters and single-layer cloth masks are not as effective as a double layer cloth mask,” said Lindner, who is the leader of NCH Health System’s COVID-19 response team. “They are not very efficient in fully preventing the outflow of the virus.”

Doctors encourage people to avoid gathering with anyone outside of their household for the holiday and in general.

“We’re just having my older son come over from Fort Lauderdale, and we’re keeping it really small, sadly,” Tracy Valdes said.

“Usually, we will go up and see our grandparents, but that’s not happening due to the virus,” Noah Wilkeiwicz said. “So we’re doing close family.”

If you do choose to gather, they say it’s important to take precautions, including wearing the right mask, eating outside if possible and social distancing.