Does wearing two masks provide more protection? It depends, but it is possible that doubling up could help in some situations, reports AP.

Wearing just one mask should be enough for most situations, as long as it fits well and isn't loose, said Dr David Hamer, an infectious disease expert at Boston University.

Still, some people might want extra protection if they're at risk for severe illness if infected or will be in situations where they expect to be around others for extended periods, such as on a plane.

One option in scenarios when you want extra protection is to wear a cloth mask as well as a regular surgical mask, said Dr Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco.

Gandhi said that combination — with either mask on top — could help achieve a similar effect as the N95 mask.