Deconfinement: 6 questions on the sale of “general public” masks

After the race for packets of pasta before the containment linked to the Covid-19 epidemic, the "general public mask" could become the object to buy, at any cost, for the French from its mass sale, May 4. But this piece of fabric, most often washable between five and thirty times, risks becoming a rare commodity with deconfinement.

1. What is a consumer mask?

It is a fabric mask (neither FFP2, nor surgical) which filters between 70% and 90% of the emitted particles with a size equal to or greater than 3 microns. In France, 240 companies have been manufacturing masks for several weeks that comply with official filtration and breathability criteria. A logo (which indicates the number of possible washes) will be affixed on these approved masks.

2. How many masks will be sold?

All distribution channels combined, the delivery of 38 million consumer masks is scheduled for the week of May 11. "If we consider that most are washable 10, 20 or 30 times, that amounts to 511 million unique uses," according to the Ministry of the Economy. However, there will not be a mask per capita. Not to mention that some will need several in a single day. "This is why we are asking for the continuation of telework," underlines the Secretary of State to the Minister of the Economy, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. With the French who will stay at home for health reasons or to keep their children, this reduces the number of masks needed the first week. Bercy is working with suppliers on an effective guide to avoid tensions in points of sale for the first few weeks.

3. Where can we find them?

If half of the pharmacists already offer them and the tobacconists will start the sale this Thursday, April 30, first in priority for the professionals who need it within the framework of their activities, then on May 4 for the general public. Large retailers will also be offering this to customers on May 4. "Then there will be a gradual rise," says Jacques Creyssel of the Federation of Commerce and Distribution, which has launched a "consultation, so that the prices of masks are controlled." Arbitrations will be rendered on Thursday. "From May 4, we will find in our stores masks that we will sell without margin, less than 2 euros", confirms for its part the spokesperson for Carrefour.

In chains like Mondial Tissus (87 stores in France), the reopening on Monday April 27 was accompanied by queues sometimes counting up to 200 people. And for good reason ... "Our current stocks of fabrics would allow individual seamstresses to make up to 10 million masks," said the director general, Bernard Cherqui, who points out that the tutorial posted on the brand's website " has already been viewed 110,000 times ”. Kits to make six masks at 5.99 euros will be available in stores the week of May 4. Finally, the French should be supplied free of charge, on a case-by-case basis, by their employer and / or their community (city, department and / or region) who will distribute them in May according to local decisions.

VIDEO. Coronavirus: alternative masks arrive in pharmacies

4. How much will they cost?

“It all depends on the number of possible washes, but also on the materials used, the time of preparation, logistics, packaging…”, specifies Agnès Pannier-Runacher. In a few days, a price range should be established "to avoid abuse".

5. Will there be something for everyone?

Distribution will be organized according to the deconfinement plan announced this Tuesday by Edouard Philippe to, perhaps, favor certain audiences. But there will be "no geographic differentiation in terms of distribution", already assures Agnès Pannier-Runacher. Clearly: the Grand Est region will be as much supplied as Brittany.

6. Can I make one to standards?

Absolutely. While the fabric stores have reopened, the French Association for Standardization (Afnor) is putting online a tutorial and a downloadable pattern to make a mask for the general public.

TO PRINT> Our tutorial to make your mask