When the world thought that COVID-19 was finally under control, a new and deadly variant of the virus came to play in the United Kingdom. Because of the new and highly transmittable virus flights to and from the UK were canceled. The country even went on a lockdown phase. Seeing the state of the United Kingdom, the nearby European countries like France and Germany also took some Precautions. Now, the European countries have mandated the use of medical-grade masks over the use of homemade masks.
The single layer of cloth won’t cut it anymore with the more complex virus in the game. France has mandated the use of single-use surgical FFP1 masks, more protective FFP2 filtering facepiece respirators, or fabric masks that meet the same “Category 1” specifications. The medical level masks will be blocking more than 90% of particles — in all public places. The use of these masks will make sure that contracting the deadly virus in public is impossible.
In Germany, the use of FFP1 or FFP2 masks is compulsory while on public transport, in workplaces, and shops. The leaders are urging people to take this mandate seriously or it will be difficult to prevent a third wave of the virus.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked people to take this precaution seriously because it is for the greater good. There are three types of masks in use right now – the cloth mask, the surgical mask, and the respirator.
Out of all the types of masks, the respirator has the highest ability to stop emission and inhalation of particles. While cloth masks provide a minimal amount of protection against the virus.