Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that the French taxpayer was "not intended to pay for masks" for everyone, but those who cannot buy them will be "helped". In recent days, several personalities have demanded free masks while they have become mandatory in public places closed since Monday. Anyone who does not comply with this obligation is liable to receive a fine of 135 euros.
To read also: The “mask budget” can reach 300 euros per month for a family of 4 people
“The state, and the French taxpayer, is not intended to pay for free masks for everyone all the time. So I think that it must remain a social policy ”, declared the President of the Republic, on TF1. Those who cannot afford to buy it will be “helped” , he said.
A significant cost for households
This Tuesday afternoon, Olivier Véran also opened the door to free distributions of masks. Asked about the subject in the National Assembly, during questions to the government, he promised to "restart the distribution of free masks" for the most precarious. The Minister of Health, however, did not provide more details on the subject. " The State soon distributed 5 million free masks (...) and we are going to restart this distribution of free masks intended for precarious populations, in particular those who benefit from complementary solidarity health (...) ", added the Minister recalling that "Two million French people carrying fragility can be reimbursed for prescription masks" .
However, the purchase of masks represents a significant cost for households. Their price is capped until January 10, 2021 at 0.95 euros per unit for a surgical model. Washable fabric masks are sold for a few euros. According to our calculations, on average, we can therefore estimate that a person living alone and using two to three single-use masks per day must spend 1.5 to 2.5 euros daily, or 45 to 75 euros per month. For a family made up of a couple and two children, this therefore represents 180 to 300 euros per month.