Boston doctor calls for greater access to high-quality face masks Share Updated: 8:22 PM EST Jan 25, 2021 Share Updated: 8:22 PM EST Jan 25, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript WITH THE STORY NEW ON 5. >> WITH THIS VIRUS VARIANT, THERE'S INCREASED ATTENTION ON THE TYPES OF MASKS THAT WE USE AND THERE ARE CALLS FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO THE MORE TOP OF THE LINE MASKS. >> WHEN CHOOSING A MASK, THINK OF YOUR MOTHER'S ADVICE DURING THE WINTER. LAYER UP. >> NEW VARIANTS ARE PROVING TO BE MORE CONTAGIOUS. THAT'S INCREASING FOCUS ON MASKS. >> THIS HAS THREE LAYERS TO IT. YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO PUT ANYTHING OVER IT. CERTAINLY RESPIRATOR DOES NOT REQUIRE ANYTHING TO COVER. >> EXPERTS SAY IF CHOOSING A CLOTH OR HOMEMADE MASK, MULTIPLE LAYERS ARE BEST AND THE MATERIAL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. >> MULTILAYERED MASK THAT PROVIDES ABSORPTION AND PREVENTING MOISTURE FROM GETTING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE. >> N95 ARE CONSIDERED GOLD STANDARD BUT HARD TO GET AND CURRENTLY RESERVED FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS. >> WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE NAVIGATING THIS ON OUR OWN. THIS IS A EMERGENCY. >> THE DOCTOR WITH BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S AND HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL SAYS HIGHER GRADE MASKS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. THAT COULD MAKE HUGE STRIDES IN CURBING THE VIRUS. >> THIS IS A SERIOUS INTERVENTION. THIS CAN PREVENT TRANSMISSION IF YOU GET A GOOD ENOUGH MASK, IT CAN PEOPLE WHO ARE INFECTED FROM INFECTING OTHERS. >> THE DOCTOR SAYS THERE SHOULD BE INCREASED FOCUS ON THE FIT OF THE MASK. THIS DOES NOT FIT ME VERY WELL. THERE ARE GAPS ON THE SIDE, A PROBLEM MANY PEOPLE HAVE. THAT'S WHERE YOUR MACGYVER SKILLS COME IN