European Countries Mandate Medical-Grade Masks Over Homemade Cloth Face Coverings

During the covid 19 pandemic, one of the simplest and must-do protection measures is to wear a mask in whatever types like cloth or for medical use or for medical use. However, as the European countries mandate medical grease masks over homemade cloth face covering, how is a medical mask? Here is something everyone needs to know.

How European Countries Mandate Medical-Grade Masks Over Homemade Cloth Face Coverings?

Given the fact that the covid pandemic has spread all over the European countries, the EU leaders are considering restrictive measures to reduce the number of infections And for that reason, some European countries start to have medical-grade masks mandatory as the most effective solution for slowing the disease spreading down.

In French, the government mandated its citizens to wear one-time use FFP1 or the more protective mask of FFP2 with respirators or masks in fabric that can block almost all particles at 90%.

French is followed by Germany, where the government has required all people within the country to wear a mask FFP2 or FFP1 in workplaces, public transport, or shops. This decision comes as the consequence of Bavaria state’s more stringent rule that enforces people to wear N95 respirators for surgical grade. This mask is believed to filter almost all air particles on public transport or stores.

According to the Chancellor of German – Angela Merkel, the quick spread of coronavirus variants that first appear in Brazil, Africa, and the UK is why German need stricter requirements.

For Austria, from January 25, citizens will have to wear an FFP2 mask in stores and on public transport.

At the recent summit, the EU leaders discussed the requirement of tougher restrictions on travel limitation and quick testing framework; however, the issue on what mask must be the best choice is out of the subject.

A new warning from the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention is that the new covid variants might cause many more deaths and hospitalizations in all of Europe. And for that, each country must apply all essential measures like physical distancing, contact tracing, or quarantine right away.

The ECDC also recommends that people wear face masks for outdoor or indoor activities, even though it does not clarify which face-covering type is the best.

In another location where the easy spreading mutation of covid might lead to the third deadly wave- Britain, the medical-grade face masks are not a strict rule except for the requirement of face coverings in store, public transportation, and some indoor activities.

The guidance from the UK is that bandanas or scarves are also appropriate for covering the face though scientists consider this method is effective to block droplets from the wearer.

Some Research On Medical-Grade Masks And Homemade Cloth Face Coverings

With the development of easily transmissible variants, scientists recommend the most effective method to reduce the spread is the limitation of viral exposure.

Besides the measures for public health, the medical-grade masks (Dony Mask, for instance) must be the top solution.

Unlike surgical or fabric masks that keep users from large droplets when coughing, sneezing, or speaking, FFP masks can filter both the inflow, outflow air and protect those wearing it from aerosols or small droplets. When correctly worn, FFP2 can protect them from 94% of all particles in the air.

The intense weave in surgical masks delivers a pretty higher protection than a homemade cloth mask. Still, some scientists believe the efficacy of a mask is also based on the amount and type of fabric used for the mask that can impact their safety rating.

The cloth masks guidance in the first wave in the covid 19 pandemic is still limited. The fear of lacking medical masks for frontline doctors or nurses is now a subject of review, especially when the medical mask supplies have increased for now.

However, as the supply chain’s disruptions are still questionable, some governments still think cloth masks a better choice than having no masks.

The health council of French, on the other hand, argued the cloth masks do not offer sufficient protection for the new variants.

Some scientific researches show that medical-grade masks can be effectively protected and prevent virus spreading. More specifically, in June, the medical Lancet newspaper announced a study that compares the rates of transmission in 16 countries. In this study, N95s and respirator masks seem to be more useful to protect users from transmission than cotton or surgical masks.

In August, another study from Duke University compares 14 different commonly used face masks. It showed N95 as the most effective version and followed by the three-layer masks for surgery. The use of neck fleeces or knitted masks might even raise the chance of transmission from droplets.

What Does The WHO Says?

For now, the World Health Organization guidance still states the surgical or medical face coverings should only be for people with covid symptoms, people in their contact, patients with underlying conditions, people above 60 years old, and healthcare workers. Otherwise, the normal fabric masks with about three layers are enough to keep people safe.

Mask Option For You- DONY Mask

One of the best choices you can make in picking a good mask is DONY Mask that has outstanding protective properties. Made from three-ply, DONY Mask is water-resistant and anti-bacteria materials that can protect you from droplets clinging to your mask and lower the chance of getting a viral infection.

Dony Mask has been granted the certification of safety and quality and exported to many countries in Europe.
Especially, as it is reusable and washable, this mask will save you a big bug from buying a new one.

In Conclusion

That is all about how European countries mandate medical grease masks over homemade cloth face covering, and whether or not people should have a medical mask. And among the many options out there for masks, DONY Mask stands at the top option that people should choose.

In general, to stay safe and sound through this pandemic, wearing a high quality mask must be the most important actions one must do.