FFP2 masks are said to offer particularly good protection against the coronavirus.
But do they actually do more than normal everyday masks?
The EU has doubts.
In order to
curb
the spread of the
coronavirus
, there is a
requirement
in
Germany
to wear
surgical
or
FFP2 masks
in local public transport and when shopping.
Because
FFP2
masks are
relatively expensive to purchase
compared to
surgical masks
and these should not be used often, a debate arose about the costs and benefits of the FFP2 mask.
FFP2 masks: EU health authority ECDC sees little added value in everyday life
The
EU health authority ECDC
now contributes a not inconsiderable part of the discussion.
Because it raises
doubts about the additional benefits of FFP2 masks
in everyday life.
"The expected added value of the universal use of
FFP2 respirators
in the community is very low," said the Stockholm-based authority on Wednesday at the request of the German press agency.
The costs and possible disadvantages also speak against a recommendation
to wear
FFP2 masks
instead of other
masks
in public
.
Details of these possible disadvantages were initially not given.
The particularly tight, but more expensive
masks
are designed to protect against pollutant particles such as dust or aerosols.
They are now
required
in many places instead of normal
everyday
masks.
In mid-January, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Prime Minister agreed to demand
FFP2 masks
,
surgical masks
or mouth-nose covers of the KN95 / N95 standards
in public transport and shops
.
In Bavaria there was a rush to pharmacies because of the new FFP2 mask requirement.
Doubts about the added value of FFP2 masks: normal everyday masks are also sufficient against corona mutants
EU Health Commissioner
Stella Kyriakides confirmed the assessment of the
EU authority
in Brussels
.
"The ECDC says the evidence is not strong enough at the moment to make it necessary to recommend this in everyday life," Kyriakides said when asked.
It is important
to wear
a
mask
correctly and
to keep
your distance
.
"But at the moment the ECDC
does not
support the wearing of
FFP2 masks
* in the community, according to the guidance they have."
The ECDC also stated that even the emergence of new
coronavirus variants
does not require any mask types other than those currently used as part of non-pharmaceutical measures against
corona
.
According to its own information, the authority is currently in the process of
updating
a document with assessments of mask use in the social environment to reduce
coronavirus transmission
.
(dpa) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen digital editorial network.
List of rubric lists: © Friso Gentsch / dpa
