With the number of daily COVID-19 cases spiralling out of control (6,509 new cases on Monday), it is imperative that we do all we can to protect ourselves from the virus.

And that includes doubling up on face masks when you're out in public.

Double up for better protection

The Ministry of Health had advised Malaysians to wear double face masks as it provides better protection against the virus.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told The Star Online that double masking was recommended by the United States' Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC, according to Dr Noor Hisham, recommended wearing a three-ply or a surgical mask underneath a cloth mask.

Double masking provides better protection.

This method reportedly ups the protection against the virus to 85.4 per cent, compared to 56.1 per cent when wearing a single surgical mask.

The CDC also revealed that a cloth mask alone only provides 51.4 per cent of protection, while a knot and tucked surgical mask offers 77 per cent of protection.

"While wearing two face masks can make breathing slightly more difficult but generally, the use of a three-ply surgical mask with a cloth face mask can be worn by most users and does not reduce oxygen supply to them," the MOH said in a statement.

Recommendation well-received

This proposal has been well received by the public in general.

Many took to social media to express their views over the suggestion, as reported by The Star Online.

Good idea, Dr. After 1yr+, 50% of the population still don't know how to wear a mask the right way. Fine them RM1k or jail 1 month if no cover nose n mouth.

Our medical frontliners can wear complete PPE for many hours every day! Not an excuse for public to not cover up.#MaskUp
— orrlang (@orrlang) May 23, 2021

This needs to be encouraged worldwide with those vaccinated and not vaccinated. It must become a standard for now and until we knock this pandemic back into the stone ages.
— Dr. Aesthetics (@draesthetics1) May 22, 2021

i saw DG wearing double masks and face shield on TV. I started following that, thank you for setting up a good example ?
— #anakderhaka ?? (@maling345678) May 22, 2021

While there are those who complained that double masking would make breathing a little bit more difficult, many netizens defended the sentiment, saying that the public has no excuse to not cover up as medical frontliners can wear a complete set of personal protective equipment (PPE) for many hours every day.