The discussion surrounding the use of protective masks has been ongoing since the pandemic began, with many stories surfacing to disprove their usefulness. However, on Thursday, Germany's Robert Koch Institute officially amended their view of mask usage, particularly now that a greater percentage of the population carry the virus. Rather than protecting the wearer, masks can help to stop the wearer spreading the virus to others.
On Wednesday, the patient association Patientevertriedung published an open letter to the government, encouraging the widespread distribution of masks. In many places, the wearing of masks is commonplace and therefore more effective.
Prof. Claude P. MULLER, a virologist at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, agreed that wearing masks could become an acceptable habit in the Grand Duchy, and suggested they could contribute to ending the containment measures earlier than anticipated.
Muller explained the masks can prevent droplets caused by speaking and coughing from reaching other people, as the mask will partially absorb the droplets. Although he acknowledged the masks are not 100% effective, the reduction in the contamination risk was significant.
René PIZZAFERRI, president of the patient association, said they requested single use masks for every resident, to protect the rest of the population, once the medical sector has been sufficiently outfitted.
Although masks should be exchanged and thrown away after a certain amount of time, Muller advised of a solution in the face of a global shortage of masks. He suggested placing a tissue within the mask, which can then be thrown away instead, as this would absorb a large amount of the moisture.
Muller also reiterated that masks form an additional protective measure and should not be used to replace social distancing or washing hands.
Video in Luxembourgish
