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DW \u2014 In COVID-19 times, masks are mandatory in many places. After Bavaria, now also other German states are tightening regulations. A simple cloth mask is not enough: mouth coverings must be better, but what does that mean?<\/p>\nDW \u2014 In COVID-19 times, masks are mandatory in many places. After Bavaria, now also other German states are tightening regulations. A simple cloth mask is not enough: mouth coverings must be better, but what does that mean?<\/p>\n
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries in the world have introduced mask mandates\u00a0in public spaces, on local transport and in stores. In Germany, too, everyone must wear some sort of mask when shopping, entering public buildings and offices and riding in trains, buses or cabs.<\/p>\n
Still, infection rates continue to rise despite tighter shutdowns. This has likely been triggered by virus variants. Bavaria became the first German state to go one step further: The state government has decided that a simple mask is no longer enough. In the future, masks must be FFP2 mask \u2014 known as\u00a0KN95, N95 or P2 in other parts of the world<\/a>.\u00a0Now, other German states are preparing to implement a similar requirements<\/a> for surgical-grade masks. Here, we explain what the different standards mean.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The current regulation in Germany requires a simple face mask to be worn as a minimum requirement in most public areas. This is a piece of cloth that completely covers the mouth and nose. Even a bandanna or scarf would qualify. When you exhale, it inhibits the flow of air and therefore the distance that germs can travel. And this already significantly reduces the risk of infection for other people.<\/p>\n The purpose of such masks is not to protect the people wearing them from infection: They protect the people everyone else from the wearers’ germs. Because transmission is frequently caused by\u00a0asymptomatic people<\/a>,\u00a0 everyone is a potential virus carrier.<\/p>\n The logic behind the mask requirement is therefore: if everyone complies, the overall risk of infection in society will fall.<\/p>\n Cloth masks should be changed frequently and washed in hot water to prevent viruses from surviving.\u00a0<\/p>\n Such medical face masks<\/a>\u00a0 are the professional equivalent of the cloth mask. They consist of thin disposable tissue and fleece and are used by doctors and assistants to\u00a0primarily to prevent their patients on operating tables from being infected with germs and pathogens.<\/a>. If the\u00a0wearer of the mask coughs or sneezes, for example, most of the droplets from the mouth and throat get caught in the mask.\u00a0<\/p>\n This only works if the mask is changed regularly and disposed of hygienically and safely. In surgery, doctors must change their mask at least every two hours. If a mask of this type is worn repeatedly, it quickly loses its effectiveness.\u00a0<\/p>\nSimple face mask<\/h2>\n
Surgical masks\u00a0<\/h2>\n