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1/21
The corona pandemic brought an object into everyday life that was previously only known to a few professional groups: mouth and nose protection.
However, it was rarely worn with as much style as here in June 2020 by a bride in Turkey.
Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
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2 / 21
Suddenly they were everywhere, even mannequins, not known as virus slingers, were masked.
Photo: Thomas Kienzle / AFP
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Every beginning was difficult: In 2020, some politicians demonstrated that putting on and wearing the protective clothing correctly is not a sure-fire success.
Armin Laschet shows here what some held out until the end of the mask requirement - wearing the mask without taking the nose into account.
In social media, the phenomenon was uncharmingly referred to as "nose pecker".
Photo: Henning Kaiser / dpa
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Nefertiti can no longer be infected, but masks were also compulsory in the museum.
Because of the other visitors, of course.
Photo: Filip Singer / EPA-EFE
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5/21
At the beginning of the pandemic, all medical protective clothing was in short supply, and masks were hardly available.
In Italy in 2020 masks were therefore produced in some places instead of fashion.
Photo: Emanuele Cremaschi / Getty Images
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Also in the Netherlands, a seamstress made fabric masks in the summer of 2020.
In Germany, the so-called everyday mask was initially standard - before it became mandatory to put on surgical or FFP2 masks.
Photo: SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images
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7/21
Noodle soup on the face: Would the mask requirement have been received more enthusiastically if everyone had approached the matter as creatively as Takahiro Shibata, a Japanese designer?
Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS
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In March 2020, the Italian engineer Mario Milanesio presented his respirator for which he converted a snorkel mask.
Incomprehensibly, the model did not catch on.
Photo: Marco Bertorello / AFP
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9/21
To smile!
The fact that the mask – well – masks the facial expressions of the other person is one of its disadvantages.
Nevertheless, this model remained the exception.
Photo: Sascha Steinbach / EPA-EFE
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10/21
Friends and critics of the piece of protective clothing quickly came up with new names.
For politically motivated haters of masks, it is the »Merkel Burka« or the »Söderlappen«.
Harmless are nicknames with a regional touch, such as "Schnutenpulli", "Fratzenschlüpper" or "Maultäschle".
Photo: Fabrizio Bensch / REUTERS
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11/21
This man is not demonstrating in May 2020 against the corona measures, but against the Lufthansa aid.
The company, which was saved by state aid, now finds high bonuses for the board members legitimate.
The federal government sees it differently.
The protester probably too.
Photo: Tobias Schwarz / AFP
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12/21
With all the chichi: Of course, the mask has to match the occasion and the rest of the textile.
Nothing stood in the way of a celebratory marriage with this model with lace.
Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP
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13/21
It is difficult to predict how often mouth and nose protection will be worn in public spaces after the end of the duty.
But if you want a mask, then please not this model with a fetish look!
Photo: Sascha Steinbach / EPA-EFE
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Bling bling in front of the face: With this mask made of (allegedly) real gold, not only viruses can be impressed.
Indian Shankar Kurhade's splurge, 48, is said to weigh 50 grams and cost nearly $4,000.
Photo:
REUTERS
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15/21
Simplicity instead of diligence: A gentleman from the far right appeared in the Bundestag in November 2020 with a holey crocheted mask and was thus reprimanded.
However, such tricks can also backfire.
A few weeks later, the mask dissident had to be treated in hospital with a Covid disease.
Photo: Political Moments / IMAGO
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Even this misappropriation of women's underwear is unlikely to prevent infectious aerosols from their insidious plan.
The snapshot was taken at a so-called lateral thinker demo in April 2021.
Photo: John MacDougall / AFP
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17/21
But you can also overdo it: Thai daycare children will play with masks in transparent boxes in August 2020.
Since keeping cages in local kindergartens is frowned upon, such measures have been dispensed with.
Photo: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images
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But it meant freezing, like here at the Freiherr-vom-Stein-School in Bonn.
Because in addition to a mask requirement, which many students bravely endured in class, the windows often stayed open.
Photo: Wolfgang Rattay / REUTERS
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19/21
Tuxedo in a tuxedo with special masking: A practical smoke slit allows the wearer of this elegant mask to indulge in his vices despite having a virus defense.
But beware: About 60 years ago it was revealed that smoking is also detrimental to health.
Photo: Sascha Steinbach / EPA-EFE
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20/21
Come on, grab one!
Since at times a mask had to be worn almost everywhere, a mask machine also makes sense.
This example could be admired in Berlin public transport in April 2020.
Photo: Adam Berry/Getty Images
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21 / 21
Such images will probably be rarer in the future.
Because on February 2nd, the mask requirement will also end nationwide in public transport.
In Berlin, masks were compulsory on buses and trains for a whopping 1011 days.
We say: "Bye-bye mask" and observe carefully how the so-called personal responsibility is now.
Photo: Martin Bertrand / IMAGO
