Mouth mask for everyone? This is how celebrity virologist Drosten classifies this requirement

Face masks are considered a sensible measure to protect yourself against corona and influenza viruses. Experts agree on their use. Virologist makes new assessment.

• Face masks are designed to prevent the transmission of corona viruses.
• Doctors only recommend mouth protection in certain cases.
• Only those who use a mask correctly can protect others from being infected with corona viruses *.

Update from March 30th, 2020: Virologist Christian Drosten on the topic "Mouthguard for everyone?"

Rising Covid 19 cases in Germany are worrying citizens, many are asking themselves: Should I wear a face mask when I leave the house? Virologist Christian Drosten from the Berlin Charité gave a professional assessment in the NDR podcast "Coronavirus Update": In his eyes, a mask only makes sense for those who have a respiratory disease . "The further away you are from this source ( editor's note: in this context, source means a sick person who coughs or sneezes ), the more you are dealing with a finer aerosol inhaled a mask, regardless of whether you breathe in from the front into your mouth, or you put on a mask and suck it in at the side. That makes no difference. Therefore: the closer to the source, the better. That is why the mask has to be at the source and not at the receiver. And that is certainly a perfectly plausible consideration. What is not so plausible that I cannot protect myself in public with a mask. That is just a bit difficult But there is simply either no or - depending on how you want to interpret it - almost no evidence in the literature that this could help, "Drosten said in the interview.

Article from March 16, 2020: Mouthguards sold out in many places

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 Germany was confirmed, more and more Germans are considering using a face mask to protect themselves against infection with coronaviruses. The masks are already sold out in many pharmacies . There are also delivery bottlenecks in Australia and the USA, as reported by the Tagesspiegel. But how sensible is the purchase? Experts have a clear opinion on this.

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 others from 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.
• If the mask is moistened by the air you breathe, you must change it.

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 Robert Koch Institute, there is no evidence that wearing mouth-nose protection significantly reduces the risk of infection for a healthy person who wears it. However, face masks are recommended for people with respiratory diseases because this reduces the risk of them infecting others. Medical professionals such as doctors are also among those for whom a face mask makes sense.

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 medical practices. 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 Bavarian Radio.

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. In his eyes, regular hand washing and sneezing and coughing in the crook of the arm promises much more effective protection - 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 can be contagious before they have symptoms". However, close contact is necessary to get infected *. Those who were in the same conference room with a coronavirus * or who were sitting a few rows away on the plane from a sick person should generally not have to worry, according to Frühwein.

Read more : "Turn on the brain": surgeon makes anger over the coronavirus panic air - and reveals bad prognosis.

Video: corona virus - how contagious is the virus?

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