When discussing a mandatory mouth protection, Merkel, Söder & Co. should show that they take the topic seriously. A comment by Bernd Ernemann, editor-in-chief of the home newspapers of Munich's Merkur.
Admittedly, those who wear mouth and nose protection don't usually make themselves more beautiful. It still takes a lot of effort to hide most of the face behind a piece of cloth. But it doesn't help. Even virologists who recently doubted the usefulness of a simple mouthguard are now urgently advised to take action.
Mouth protection will definitely come in Bavaria
Politicians have also recognized this and fluctuate between a mouth protection requirement and a mouth protection obligation. The latter will definitely come in Bavaria if too few citizens follow the urgent wear appeal when shopping and in public transport. This is how Prime Minister Markus Söder announced it, Chancellor Angela Merkel also sees it. However, they do not lead by example. In public appearances, joint press conferences, our top politicians are generally unprotected - as far as the nose and mouth are concerned. Well, that's even better than with US President Donald Trump, who also advises to wear a face mask, but himself publicly declares that this is currently out of the question for him. But worse than most Asian politicians, who put on the face mask as naturally as a jacket and tie.
If you take the topic seriously, you should show it. Mr. Söder, Ms. Merkel & Co. can - like all people who are in the public eye - make a significant contribution to ensuring that the mask takes the place in our new everyday life that it deserves: it simply belongs to it.
Bernd Ernemann
Also read: Mask requirement immediately! Free voters rush into Bavaria - and question Söder's Corona course
and: Coronavirus: Why the number of reproductions is crucial - Merkel's calculation simply explained