April 1, 2020, 5:03 am | Read time: 5 minutes
In many countries, wearing a mask is a given. Only here is there still debate about whether such a mask is effective–not least due to misleading statements from the WHO. FITBOOK author Christian Glass has a clear opinion on this.
“Wearing a mask offers no protection against the coronavirus.” A statement that could have escaped from a troll factory near Moscow. Europe is currently being aggressively flooded with false facts about the coronavirus pandemic, often originating from Russia. But the sentence doesn’t come from the vast empire; it comes from the website of the World Health Organization (WHO). This is–to put it mildly–disturbing.
The WHO experts even top it: Wearing a mask only helps to prevent infecting others. This almost cynical distinction is actually made by medical professionals. And this opinion is widespread among the public. As a result, many people here stubbornly refuse to wear a mask. They don’t feel sick, so they believe there’s no risk of infecting anyone. But: The risk is very real.
The illness resulting from a coronavirus infection often progresses mildly. Infection often occurs when there are few or no symptoms. So those who confidently forgo a mask potentially carry the virus outside–and unknowingly infect others.
Also of interest: When are people infected with coronavirus contagious?
It’s tedious, but apparently necessary, to write this again: Whether protection is inward or outward–the direction doesn’t matter! If everyone wore a mask (specifically a mouth-nose protection mask) as soon as they left their home, it would protect everyone.
Corona Myths Persist
Now, in other parts of the world, people are ignoring the WHO’s “recommendation”–thankfully. In Asia, wearing a mouth-nose protection has long been part of the street scene, even if only out of politeness. Virologist Prof. Christian Drosten also recommends wearing a mask. In the NDR podcast “Coronavirus Update”, he said: “You don’t go to the supermarket with symptoms, but you acknowledge that you don’t know if you’ll have symptoms tomorrow. So it’s a gesture of politeness to wear a mask now. That’s also easy to understand.” Drosten himself wears a mask in the supermarket, as he revealed, but he criticizes the apparent lack of acceptance.
Also of interest: Do half of all coronavirus infections occur without symptoms?
Precious Time Wasted in Germany
Whether the idea of politeness is decisive here or simply the realization that there might be something to the mouth-nose protection is debatable. The fact is: In Austria, wearing a mask while shopping is mandatory, and Jena (Thuringia) is the first German city to follow suit. Retailers in Berlin have been desperately calling for days for people to wear a mask while shopping.
Suddenly, the first politicians, like Foreign Minister Heiko Maas or health expert Karl Lauterbach (both SPD), are coming out of hiding. And now, the German Medical Association is also advising wearing a mask. It seems something is finally moving! Because a lot of precious time has been wasted with this absurd discussion. Now, hopefully, more and more people are realizing: Each of us should wear a mouth-nose protection in public.
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But What if I Can’t Buy a Mask?
It’s important: The public should not buy or use medical-grade mouth-nose protection. This should remain reserved for hospitals and medical staff. A shortage due to high public demand would be dramatic. Moreover, an improvised or homemade mask is just as effective. Our colleagues at STYLEBOOK explain here how to make one yourself. To kill any viruses, the fabric should be washed and, most importantly, ironed hot. Hygiene expert Zastrow’s tip: Place a mouth-nose protection mask in the oven at 70 degrees for 30 minutes. Then the viruses are dead.
Why Was There So Much Waffling?
The question that preoccupies and still angers me: Why is it still so difficult for so many people here to wear a mask in public? Is it the fear of being laughed at on the street? Or being stigmatized as a possible infected person? These might be reasons stemming from shame or vanity, perhaps even convenience.
I felt the same way, as I was stared at like an alien during my first trip to the supermarket with a mask. It’s embarrassing and uncomfortable at first. I suspect many feel the same right now. For such moments, a tip: Think of your loved ones! Of the weakest, for whom an infection is life-threatening. Then it doesn’t matter how you appear to others with a mask.
I can only hope that the endless discussion about the usefulness of a mask now comes to an end. Because one thing is clear about the mouth-nose protection: The situation is very serious. We must protect everyone and ourselves. Prof. Drosten also points out this psychological effect in the podcast: “Whoever wears a mask outside will not take it off to take a sip from a beer bottle at a corona party. So this perhaps addresses the younger listeners or the younger people who aren’t thinking about it much right now. They might be reminded that it’s serious now because everyone or many people in public are wearing such a mask.” He emphasizes that he finds this important as a psychological effect.
So put on a mask when you’re in public! For the elderly, for the sick–for all of us.