Coronavirus FAQs: Are 3 Masks Better Than 1? Will Mouthwash Keep You Safe?

Does wearing more than one mask at a time make you safer?

You might have wondered that too if you were watching Monday Night Football last month and saw New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick wearing two masks after his quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19.

Well, let's think about that. Masks block contagious droplets that an infected person breathes out. They also offer a measure of protection for a wearer who's not infected.

So yes, in theory, two is better than one and three is even better, says biosecurity expert Raina MacIntyre, who researches mask effectiveness at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.