Bavaria's government around Prime Minister Markus Söder has introduced the FFP2 mask requirement in the fight against Corona.
But how are Hartz-4 recipients doing?
Because protection is expensive.
Due to
Corona *, the
Free State of
Bavaria
has
the
FFP2 mask requirement
introduced.
The
FFP2 masks
are more expensive than conventional medical
mouth and nose protection.
But who can
afford
the
FFP2 masks
to protect against
corona
?
Munich
- It's official: The Free State of
Bavaria
has
imposed
the
mask requirement
with
FFP2 masks
in the fight against
Corona
.
But this measure has met with severe criticism, especially from social organizations.
After all, the FFP2 masks are significantly more expensive than the usual medical
mouth and nose protection.
Especially for people who
receive
Hartz IV
, the FFP2-Vairante does not fit into the budget.
The Bavarian state government around Prime Minister
Markus Söder
(CSU)
has passed the resolution that in future there will be
a strict
FFP2 mask requirement
in shops, buses, underground and suburban trains in
Bavaria
.
Doctors and virologists in particular welcome this measure.
Sure: Because the FFP2 masks have been proven to offer better protection against
corona
.
But the higher costs are an almost insurmountable financial expense for the socially disadvantaged.
Type of protective mask |
Protective effect |
|---|---|
Do-It-Yourself mask |
Droplet ejection speed can be reduced |
Medical mouth and nose protection |
Protection against droplet ejection from the carrier |
FFP2 mask (filtered) |
Protection of the wearer from solid and liquid aerosols |
Source: Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices |
Hartz IV and FFP2 mask requirement in Bavaria: Who can afford protection against Corona?
As reported on the website of the weekly newspaper zeit.de, people who
receive
Hartz IV have an
average of less than three euros a month for medical products.
An
FFP2 mask,
as it has to be
worn
in
Bavaria
due to
Corona
, is only available in the pharmacy for just under five euros.
In addition to the questions of how the
FFP2 mask obligation is to be
controlled and any offenses to be punished,
the question of how the
socially disadvantaged
should even afford the more expensive masks remains open.
The state government in
Bavaria
responded to
the vehement criticism
.
Söder
and the Bavarian Health Minister
Klaus Holetschek (CSU)
admitted that they would provide two million such
FFP2 masks
to
those in need
, five per person.
These should be distributed to the authorized recipients via the municipalities.
This would mean that only a good 400,000 of the more than 13 million people living in Bavaria - almost 300,000 receive
Hartz IV
- would be provided with FFP2 masks.
+
Bavaria's government around Prime Minister Markus Söder has introduced the FFP2 mask requirement in the fight against Corona.
But not everyone can afford it.
(Symbol picture).
© Angelika Warmuth / dpa
Free FFP2 masks from the government in Bavaria are not enough
In addition, the more expensive
FFP2 masks
cannot be reused indefinitely.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this should only be done in an emergency.
Cleaning is complicated due to the included air filter and small plastic parts.
The
protective masks made available should therefore not be sufficient
for the period of
mandatory masking
in Bavaria, according to the criticism of
Die Linke
and
SPD.
The opposition in
Bavaria is
therefore calling for free
FFP2 masks
to protect against the
corona virus
without limit.
In particular for the people who live on basic security.
Because the current standard rate for recipients of
Hartz IV
only provides 3.8 percent for health care.
That corresponds to about 16.11 euros.
For medical products with or without a prescription, only 2.50 euros per month are available according to the standard requirement.
Protecting masks, but you have to be able to afford them: The RKI recommends wearing # FFP2Masken once, but the #HartzIV standard rate only includes € 2.50 for non-prescription products.
We demand masks for everyone who doesn't have the money!
# 100EuroMoreSimut #ArmutNervt pic.twitter.com/vkHJj7iu7W
- Sanction-free (@sanction-free) January 13, 2021
Socially weaker people hit harder by Corona: Association calls for support from Bavaria
The Social Association Germany (SoVD) has therefore also campaigned for more help and funding
commitments
for the poor in times of
Corona
.
After all, Hartz IV recipients are particularly
affected
by the
pandemic
*.
The
FFP2 mask compulsory
in
Bavaria
applies according
Söder
for young people aged 15 and over.
Furthermore, experts fear that the prices for the FFP2 protective masks will soar further due to the increasing demand *.
Uli Grötsch, General Secretary of the
SPD
in
Bavaria,
therefore suggested that the health insurance companies support the socially disadvantaged with an income at the subsistence level.
FFP2 mask requirement in Bavaria: Other federal states could follow
It is to be expected that other federal states will also
follow
the decision of the state government in
Bavaria
.
"I hope that federal politicians will take
note of
today's decision on
FFP2 masks
from Bavaria," said Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger, for example.
The
FFP2 mask requirement
is already
being
discussed
in North Rhine-Westphalia
.
* fr.de is part of the nationwide Ippen editorial network.
List of rubric lists: © Angelika Warmuth
