As of: January 12, 2021 1:09 p.m.
If you don’t wear your FFP2 mask properly, you run a higher risk of infecting yourself and others with the coronavirus.
Masks are part of everyday life in Corona times. Mouth and nose protection is compulsory on buses, trains and shops. How well a mask protects depends not only on the correct fit but also on the material used.
Thick fabric and many layers offer better corona protection
The risk of corona infection is greatest indoors. Virus particles can adhere for hours to invisible suspended particles (aerosols) and be inhaled. The thicker the fabric of a mask and the more layers the mask has, the better it can reduce the spread of aerosols.
Scientists have simulated the effects of masks using radioactive particles and an artificial lung. They attached different masks to the end of a hose, blew test aerosols through the hose and determined how many particles the substance was allowing through. For comparison, aerosols were blown unfiltered through the hose.
VIDEO: Cloth, surgical and FFP masks: how well do they protect against corona? (3 min)
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The result: While a single-layer protective mask only had a filter performance of 35 percent, a three-layer mask reduced the number of particles by 89 percent. The size of the pores is also decisive: the more layers of fabric a mask has and the smaller the pores of the fabric, the greater the protective effect of the mask.
Visors only offer limited protection
Visors are also used as mouth and nose protection. They are more comfortable to wear, and the other person sees their entire face and facial expressions. However, face visors, for example in Hamburg, are no longer recognized as sufficient mouth and nose coverage. Because they only protect the wearer from a direct droplet infection, for example through sneezing, but not from aerosols. These can flow unhindered past the sides of the visor.
FFP protective masks for risk groups
If you have an increased risk of getting seriously ill with Covid-19, it is better to wear a professional FFP mask of protection class 2 or 3 instead of an everyday mask made of fabric.
Observe the CE marking for FFP2 masks
They protect the wearer from aerosols. The quality of the masks is guaranteed by a CE mark and a four-digit number for one of the 41 approved test centers. If the respirators come from overseas, they usually have other names such as KN95 (China) or N95 (USA).
FFP2 masks must fit correctly
In addition to the quality of the filter, the fit of the mask is particularly important. They must fit the wearer’s face and be snug. In an experimental study at the Technical University of Berlin – depending on the test person – up to 75 percent of the breathed air flowed outside unfiltered.
The result is hardly better than with surgical or everyday masks, where up to 93 percent escape. FFP2 masks only offer better protection for yourself and others if they are really good and tight. There is another problem with bearded people: the hair acts like a spacer.
Feeling safe with an FFP2 mask
It can happen that people seem to feel safe with an FFP2 mask and possibly enter into risk contacts, although they are no better protected with the mask than with a simple mouth and nose mask. Like cloth masks, FFP masks can also be used multiple times if they have been disinfected beforehand – for example, heating them in the oven at 80 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.
Protective masks with authorization certificate
With an entitlement certificate that is sent to you automatically, all insured persons aged 60 and over and the chronically ill will receive a total of twelve protective masks in the coming weeks for a small personal contribution. In order to be able to equip all authorized persons, six masks are handed out in two different time periods. First between January 1 and February 28 and then between February 16 and April 15, 2021. The personal contribution is two euros per collection.
