Read the video transcript here arrow up arrow down
From now on you will see this type of mask more often: the medical mask.
The federal and state governments have decreed that FFP2 or so-called surgical masks must be worn in shops, buses and trains.
Everyday masks made of fabric with a lower level of virus protection are no longer sufficient in these places.
Nina Weber, DER SPIEGEL Health
These are not medical devices. They don't have to meet any specific standards, like the medical masks that are now becoming mandatory. And there are essentially two things: On the one hand, there are masks that you know at least from doctor and hospital series and now soon also on your own face if you haven't used them before and FFP2 masks. FFP2 masks are, by the way, if someone asks: But what about N95 or KN95? Are those masks completely different? Nah, it isn't. These are different standards from other countries, but they are very similar to the FFP2 mask.
Both the OP and FFP2 masks have been tested through medical tests.
Their characteristics are certain materials that are processed in them.
There is a special filter fleece inside the mask that filters the viruses.
This is even more pronounced with the FFP2 mask.
It filters at least 94 percent of the particles from the air.
The electrostatic attraction of the fibers ensures that even very small viruses do not migrate through the fleece, but are held on to the fibers inside.
There may be qualitative differences in the FFP2 masks.
So what should you look out for when buying?
Nina Weber recommends getting advice from the pharmacy and says:
Nina Weber, DER SPIEGEL
You cannot determine from the price whether it is a good or a bad mask that FFP2 masks have, you can see that here: They have a CE mark on them. And also a number. And that should definitely be printed on it. You can theoretically do some research and find out who checked it.
Once the mask has been bought, it must of course be put on correctly so that it protects the wearer and other people well.
Nina Weber, DER SPIEGEL
The important thing is: let's start with the surgical mask. She also has a nosepiece up here so that you press this nosepiece so that the mask sits tightly up here. Because if you don't do that and everything is open here, then the mask won't close properly. It should also close somewhat on the sides. It only works half well for me, you have to say. I can figure it out with one finger. I don't think that's really how it should be. Then you just have to see if you can get a suitable mask. If I drag them a little longer it will get better. This is the surgical mask. What I did wrong now. I press on it all the time. Don't do that.
It is similar with the FFP2 mask. It also has a bracket at the top, which you then press into place and it sits around relatively well, you might think. But with me it's not very tight down here. And that's actually something I've now heard from experts that the problem is with FFP2 masks. If they don't sit well, they protect very poorly. Because they are easy to filter in there, which makes it a bit more difficult to breathe. The resistance is greater and if you have a leak somewhere, then you only breathe through the leak because there is a good flow of air and not in the other places. This is not so bad with the surgical masks because the resistance is not that great. And that's why a leaking FFP2 mask is really a problem.
Not only when wearing it but also when cleaning it is the handling of the medical mask more complicated than the everyday cloth mask.
Washing in the washing machine is not possible as this would destroy the electrostatics of the mask.
But there is a tip:
Nina Weber, DER SPIEGEL
With the FFP2 masks, or you can certainly do that with the surgical masks, is a good way of actually letting them dry for a week in room air. Of course, for this you need a place where you can hang them. And please don't use the heating either. You have to say that because if you put it directly over the heater, where it might be a kind of cozy 30, 40 degrees. That is such a temperature that bacteria and fungi grow in it. Then you have nothing of the fact that you don't have a corona. But you catch something else. So, for reasons of hygiene, it's actually just room air. That is what is recommended and for a whole week. After that, nothing should be infectious or live on it.
It also gets tricky for beards.
Unfortunately, the FFP2 mask does not protect you sufficiently:
Nina Weber, DER SPIEGEL
Even if it's just long stubble - there is definitely air space there. Even if someone has the feeling that it will work. Do not do it. One can only say, then probably prefer to use the other mask shape, which is then also suboptimal. You can of course also say, maybe a new look is okay and the beard can wear off for a while. But then everyone has to decide for themselves.
With all the tips and tricks for the prescribed surgical and FFPS masks, one rule still applies: keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from other people - even with a medical mask.
