Does a mask protect against coronavirus infection? Who should wear a face mask

Face masks are considered a sensible measure to protect yourself against corona and influenza viruses. But experts agree: The mask is only suitable for the following groups.

• Face masks are designed to prevent the transmission of corona viruses.
• Many doctors only recommend mouth protection in certain cases.
• There are three main ways to counter coronavirus infection.

They are particularly widespread in Asia: face masks designed to protect wearers and their fellow human beings from germs and viruses. During the SARS pandemic in 2002/2003, this protective measure was recommended by doctors to protect themselves, but also others, from the viruses that trigger Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Since the first coronavirus case in the Munich district of Starnberg was confirmed, more and more Germans have been considering protecting themselves from infection with coronaviruses using a face mask. The masks are already sold out in individual pharmacies. Delivery bottlenecks are also said to have already occurred in Australia and the USA, as reported by Tagesspiegel. But how sensible is the purchase? The opinions of experts are contradictory.

Mouthguards should fit snugly - thin paper masks are of little use

In Germany, face masks are available in different quality. Very thin paper masks would have a rather low protective effect, as the Tagesspiegel reported. On the other hand, masks that also wear medical personnel are a good way to protect yourself against viruses and bacteria - provided they are put on correctly. The high-quality masks are absorbent on the inside, liquid-repellent on the outside and available in pharmacies, but also partially in drugstores.

According to a study, however, a good protective effect is only given if the face masks are used correctly . The following rules should be followed:

• The mask should fit snugly and completely cover the nose and mouth.
• An effective face mask should contain a metal wire as a nose piece so that the area around the nose can be adjusted exactly.

More on the subject : Coronavirus warning for Germany: "We have to prepare for it in the entire health system".

Survey on the subject

Protection against corona viruses: face masks for surgeons, flu sufferers and other infectious patients

According to the Tagesspiegel, there are indications that face masks do not protect nearly as well against germ transmission in public spaces as in clinics and doctor's offices. One explanation could be that medical personnel are trained in the use of face masks and use them correctly. Another explanation would be that people with face masks fail to take other precautions that protect against viruses and bacteria. This includes regular hand washing and keeping a distance from infected people .

In general, doctors do not recommend wearing protective masks in public. So-called surgical face masks, according to Bernd Salzberger, the chairman of the German Society for Infectious Diseases at Regensburg University Hospital, were not made to protect against infection, but are intended to prevent potentially infectious droplets from the respiratory tract of surgeons from entering the operating area , as reported by Bayerischer Rundfunk.

Also read : "As if we were going on a suicide mission" - crew member on corona virus on a cruise.

Prevent coronavirus infection with the following protective measures

However, Salzberger face masks are very useful for people who are ill. For example, people with the flu should wear a mask to protect other people : "But protection against infection from the outside is very, very bad with it," the BR quotes the expert Salzberger.

Dr. Martin Hoch from the Infectiology Task Force of the Bavarian Ministry of Health sees no point in wearing a mouthguard as a healthy person at the moment. A much more effective protection promises in his eyes regular hand washing and sneezing and coughing into the crook of your arm - and not in the palm of the hand.

Read more : Coronavirus: what are the symptoms? Lung disease is spreading.

The corona virus is really contagious

"Like other infectious diseases - the flu, for example - the virus is transmitted from person to person," said tropical medicine specialist Dr. Interview with Markus Frühwein: "At the moment we assume that people are contagious before they have symptoms". However, close contact is necessary to get infected. From around 15 minutes of face-to-face conversation there is an increased risk, according to Frühwein . Anyone who was in the same room with a coronavirus infection or sat a few rows on the plane from a sick person should not worry, according to Frühwein.

Video: corona virus - how contagious is the virus?

jg

These viruses and bacteria make us sick

To the photo gallery