Mask Discussion

 SWR (public TV from southwest Germany) brought up masks today, and effectiveness....or rather ineffective masks.

First, they (a aersols expert group for the state, with Tübingen virologist...Thomas Iftner....on the group)....put out a warning call.

Your average everyday type of mask (made out of fabric) are marginally protective. They basically only protect you from spit situations....that's it.

Generally, if you walk around, I'd say that about 50-percent of the public now wears this mask on a daily basis.

Second, they kinda suggest surgical masks over the cloth masks.  More costly?  Yes.  But that was the plus-up point of cloth masks...you'd wear them for a day....toss them into the laundry, and wear a fresh one for the next day.

In public now?  I would suggest around 20-percent of the public going to this routine.

Third, the plexiglass 'saucer' type?  You'd normally see them with grocery clerks or bakery folks.  These plexiglass saucers aren't given much of a thumb's up....simply to protect against spit.

Fourth, masks without certification markings?  What they are talking about are the cheapo type made by some Chinese company and sold to a significant degree around Germany.  The experts put the 'thumbs-down' on these types of masks and suggest you skip using them.

The fact that counterfeit masks with certification markings are probably being sold around Germany now?  Best not to bring up this topic.  It wouldn't surprise me if a quarter of all masks being sold....look like some official company productive with the markings....but probably are counterfeit.  

I went out this week and ordered a new box of the paper-masks....respectable company product....50 in the box....near 13 Euro in cost.  It's the type of mask that you could wear for one single day, and toss away.  If you want the more expensive surgical type (with the N-95 markings)....you'd pay 30 Euro for a box of 20.