In our guide, we explain which masks provide the best protection against corona, why this is so and which respirators can be purchased.
If you would like to know which masks protect very well, just click here on the FFP2 mask recommendation.
The Corona Pandemic is far from over in Germany, Europe and the USA. Even if tougher regulations lead to a drop in infection numbers, the question still arises as to how best to deal with this virus in the long term. After all, the risk of infection will remain – until there is an effective vaccine and a vaccination protects enough people. Or until herd immunity has been achieved in some other way. The second option would result in a lot of fatalities for many experts – much more than has been the case in recent months.
One of the most important points in the strategy of the federal and state governments against the corona pandemic is mouth-nose masks. These masks are intended to ensure that the risk of infection is greatly reduced, particularly in areas where the usual rules of distance cannot be observed. In fact, there are now numerous studies that confirm a positive effect of these masks. There are varying degrees of success – depending on the type of mask used for the test.
Übersicht
Corona masks – do they really protect?
Compliance with the rules of hygiene should have been a matter of course for a long time. But when it comes to respiratory masks, the opinions are still divided. As a result, we see people going to the supermarket or public transport without a mask. On the other hand, however, when shopping or in the city center, one also sees a wide variety of different masks. The question remains, how well these masks really work and what about safety. Quite a few experts speak of deceptive security.
First of all, it is important to make it clear that masks are far from being the same. Especially the fabric masks or everyday masks, for which there is no certificate or any other regulation and standardization, are very different in their effect. Depending on which fabric is used, whether several layers are used or only one, and how tightly the mask really fits, it can intercept more or less aerosols from the wearer.
However, the fact is that every mask has at least a small effect. Because if the first goal is to reduce aerosols in the air, then any obstacle in front of the mouth and nose is a good way to achieve this goal. However, some of the protective masks used in everyday life are better suited to protect themselves and others than others. Here we have taken a closer look at the types of masks that are most frequently encountered in everyday life and would like to briefly introduce them.
| Mask type | Brief description |
| fabric mask or everyday mask | The fabric mask or everyday mask is primarily used for the protection of others. It is intended to prevent too many aerosols being released into the environment when speaking or breathing. For this reason, this mask is obligatory as a minimum standard in the regulations of the countries in all areas where masks are mandatory. This mask is available with or without nose clip. In the end, the flexible material often adapts to the shape of the face most easily. |
| Face mask or face visor | Unlike the fabric mask, which is a half mask, the face mask covers the entire face – but does not cover it. The visor is placed at some distance from the face. This makes it easier to breathe, but there is a greater risk of aerosols escaping through the openings of the mask. |
| FFP Masks | This is also a half mask, but due to the material used it offers much better protection than simple fabric masks. The fleece used here must meet high legal requirements, as there are corresponding certifications for FFP masks. |
| Mask with mask body | These are „real“ breathing masks. The mask body covers large parts of the face and lies firmly and bindingly on the skin. Only filtered air is breathed here. The exhaled air is also very strongly filtered. These masks are mainly known from the field of protective equipment. |
| Plastic half masks | The most unsuitable variant of covering the face. Unlike the face visor, here only a narrow plastic strip is worn in front of the mouth, the nose is almost completely free. |
Which protective masks are best
The best fabric masks or everyday masks
The legal requirements for a face mask are already met by fabric masks or everyday masks. In fact, the medical journal reported as early as the summer that various studies had shown that mouth and nose protection was more important than social distancing to combat the pandemic.
The problem for many users of self-stitched fabric masks is that when they wear glasses, the glasses quickly fog up. However, this problem can easily be solved with a nose clip in the mask, as found in all disposable masks and medical masks.
- 50 Stück rechteckige Einwegmaske (17,5 x 9,5 cm) mit 3-Lagen und flexibler Nasenbügel. 3-lagig (Vliesstoff / Filterstoff / Vliesstoff)
- Flexible Ohrschlaufen für ein angenehmes Tragegefühl - auch für Brillenträger geeignet. Die Masken sind geruchsneutral.
- ✔ Deutschsprachige Verpackung: Sie erhalten die Masken bei uns in einer Verpackung mit deutschen Hinweisen.
- Lieferumfang: 1 Verpackungseinheit mit 50 Einwegmasken (Insgesamt 50 Masken pro Box)
Face protection with a face visor is not as effective in combating the distribution of aerosols as a classic everyday mask. The plastic half-mask is completely unsuitable for this purpose.
A quick market check shows that there is a large selection of better masks with a significantly higher protective effect in marketplaces and pharmacies. Especially risk patients should use filter masks.
We will come to this in the following chapters.
The best FFP2 corona masks
The FFP masks and the masks with mask body are the best. The latter, however, are often not suitable for daily use, because breathing under them can become very difficult after a short time.
For security reasons, however, we always recommend a mask with a suitable certification.
- ➤ SENTIAS FFP2-Maske. ✔ 100% Made in Germany nach CE 2163 ✔ DEKRA Materialprüfung ✔ Schnelle Lieferung ☛ Hier klicken!
Many FPP2 breathing masks come from Germany. Why this is so, you will find out when you read on.
Are masks made in Germany completely manufactured in Germany?
At the beginning of the pandemic, there were some bottlenecks in Germany when it came to mouth and nose protection. This was mainly due to the fact that the masks in question were a product that was hardly ever produced in Germany.
In this country, people always relied on deliveries from abroad. But when masks became scarce worldwide, the supply stream from abroad also dried up and so the domestic industry had to come up with something.
In addition, production came to a standstill in many companies, especially in the initial phase of the pandemic. The production of everyday masks was a good opportunity to generate at least some turnover.
In fact, quite a number of suppliers stuck with it. For this reason, you can find significantly more masks made in Germany today than just a few years ago.
However, there are some significant differences. Even if the production facilities of the suppliers who write „made in Germany“ on their products are usually located in Germany, the masks do not have to be manufactured completely in Germany.
Things like the fleece itself, the nose clip or the elastic band for the ear bands can still be purchased from abroad.
However, there are also suppliers such as StartUp Sentias who do their entire production in Germany and also rely on German suppliers and German resources. Whoever supports such a manufacturer not only ensures real quality – he also makes an important contribution to securing the domestic economy in these difficult days.
Sentias masks can be purchased in different stores also with short delivery time.
- ✔ Atemschutz 100% Made in Germany: alle Rohstoffe kommen aus Deutschland, um eine transparente Wertschöpfungskette und allerhöchste Qualität zu gewährleisten
- ✔ FFP2 – Limit wurden übertroffen: durch Filtration feiner Partikel/Tröpfchen/Aerosole erzielt die Schutzmaske eine 98% Filterwirkung
- ✔ 4-lagige Maske mit Selbst- Schutz bietet maximalen Schutz vor gesundheitsschädlichen Partikeln sowie gute Zirkulation für den Träger
- ✔ Neuartiges und formoptimiertes Design der Gesichtsmaske sorgt für mehr Passgenauigkeit mit mehr Tragekomfort durch elastische, latexfreie Ohrenbänder und flexiblem Nasenbügel. Entspricht der Norm: EN 149:2001+A1:2009 FFP 2 NR und konform mit der Verordnung (EU) 2016/423
- ✔ Hinweis: Bitte achten Sie bei der Bestellung darauf, dass die Masken von der Lupudu GmbH angeboten werden. Leider bieten auf diesem Listing auch Händler die Ware an, bei der es sich nicht um Original FFP2-Masken von SENTIAS "Made in Germany" handeln könnte.
Why should you order high quality FFP2 respiratory protection masks from a German manufacturer?
An FFP2 respirator must meet certain requirements in order to receive the test seal or certification necessary to be allowed to be sold as an FFP2 mask.
With production in Germany, the risk of a fake mask is very low. The testing standards in this country are very high – also and especially with regard to the production of breathing masks. For example, these masks are tested and certified here by DEKRA.
The particularly important CE mark with the 2163 is observed. When purchasing, pay attention to the information of the standards and the marking on the mask.
This is also recommended in an article on the German television channel ZDF.
In addition, manufacturers who produce their product lines entirely in Germany often have additional quality features. For example, a comparatively high level of wearing comfort.
Many manufacturers with the label made in Germany, such as Sentias, can also offer products that even exceed the standard of a classic FFP2 mask – and thus offer even more safety for the wearer and his or her environment.
High-quality masks offer the following properties, for example:
SENTIAS FFP2 respirator mask data
- According to EN149:2001+A1:2009 FFP2 NR standard
- Complies with the regulation (EU) 2016/425
- CE2163 marking
- Made in Germany – Manufactured in Germany and thus from German production
What protection do the masks offer?
We have already established that the mouth and nose protection mask offers good protection at least for the people around the wearer.
The question remains to what extent these masks can also protect the wearer himself and what is true to the stories that such masks are „virus spinners“.
How can I use mouth-nose masks more than once?
The accusation that such a mask is a virus slingshot often applies especially to everyday masks or fabric masks that were partly bought and partly sewn by the wearer himself with great attention to detail.
Indeed, the permanent use of a mask can become a health risk – if the mask is not washed regularly. However, if you change your mask after every long period of wearing and then wash it at 60 – 70 degrees, there is no risk here.
The situation is of course different with a disposable mask in individual packaging. Once it has been used, it should not be used a second time.
What is the difference between a KN95 and FFP2 mask?
The FFP2 mask is a type of mask used in Germany and Europe and must meet certain standards in order to obtain certification. The KN95 type mask comes from China – the FFP standard does not apply there.
However, the standards for a KN95 mask are pretty much the same as for the FFP2 mask. There are only minor differences.
For example, for an FFP2 mask, it is sufficient if at least 94% of the particles in the air are filtered out – the KN95 mask must filter out at least 95% of the particles to meet the type specifications.
Also, the flow rate for the air itself is higher in the FFP2 mask than in the KN95 mask – making it easier to breathe under an FFP2 mask than under the KN95.
However, the bottom line is that the FFP2 mask and the KN95 mask are considered equivalent. If, for example, the FFP2 mask is required for occupational safety, a KN95 mask can also be used.
- ✔ Diese Masken wurden nach der chinesischen KN95-Norm GB2606-2006 getestet. (Chinesisches Äquivalent zur EU-Norm).
- ✔ Diese KN95-Masken wurden von einer benannten Stelle (CE Nummer 2534) der EU-FFP1-Norm EN 149: 2001 + A1: 2009. Das Dokument kann entweder im Amazon-Angebot heruntergeladen, oder direkt bei uns angefordert werden.
- ✔ Filtert mind. 95% der festen + flüssigen Aerosole, die kein Öl enthalten. Anwendungsbereiche: Labor, Industrie, Handel oder privater Bereich.
- ✔ Verpackungseinheiten: 10 hochwertige KN95 Masken in einem wiederverschließbaren Druckverschluss-Beutel und einer Haltbarkeit von 2 Jahren (Datum ist auf der Verpackung aufgedruckt).
- ✔ Perfekte Passform für Brillenträger: Die Ohrschlaufen garantieren einen sicheren Sitz. Der biegsame Nasenbügel lässt sich an jede Nasenform anpassen und verhindert dadurch ein beschlagen der Brille.
Do fabric masks offer a similar high level of protection as FFP2 masks?
A simple fabric face mask does not provide equivalent protection to an FFP2 mask. This is because the filtering performance of an FFP2 mask is much higher than that of a fabric mask.
Even if more than one layer of fabric was used in the manufacture of the fabric mask, it does not reduce the emission of aerosols as much as a so-called particle-filtering half-mask of safety level 2 can
Helfen Do FFP 2 respirators help against coronavirus?
In any case, they provide very high protection against the virus. As mentioned, the amount of filtered particles here is at least 94%.
The filtering half mask thus offers a high level of self-protection, as the high-quality filter fleece provides a high level of virus protection here. However, this is also accompanied by a comparatively high breathing resistance.
The ability to breathe is certainly restricted under an FFP2 respirator – although not to the extent that this would result in a hazard.
It should also be noted that not every mask of this type provides the same level of protection for the environment. This is because if such a mask is equipped with a valve for breathing, the air we breathe is expelled unfiltered.
In this case, the mask offers a very high level of protection for the wearer himself – but no protection at all or at best very minimal protection for the people around the wearer.
What is the difference between a surgical mask and an FFP mask?
The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) has very nicely compared the differences between the various mask types.
For example, the FFP2 mask is primarily for self-protection and is used a lot in the field of occupational safety. The surgical mask serves as a medical device for external protection.
However, the surgical mask provides much less protection against aerosols than its industrial counterpart. It offers only a weak aerosol protection, but a good protection against droplets.
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Is an FFP2 respirator mask and a fine dust mask the same item?
The term „fine dust mask“ is a generic term for a large number of different masks. From the gas mask to the individual FFP masks, all these mask types are fine dust masks.
They are naturally used to ward off fine dust when working on industrial machines and in other areas of craftsmanship with a high exposure to chemicals, aerosols or fine dust in the air. Sometimes, however, they are also used in the medical sector as part of protective equipment.
What must be observed when wearing the mask?
Basically, the mask body should cover mouth and nose. For wearing comfort it is important that the ear loops are not too short – otherwise it can quickly become painful behind the ears and wearing the mask for a longer period of time becomes very uncomfortable.
For masks with a wrinkle in the mask, the wrinkle should sit directly over the nose, so that the mask has the best fit and offers the best possible protection.
What are the differences between respirators in terms of protection classes and what does the abbreviation FFP mean?
The abbreviation FFP stands for „filtering face piece“. Masks with FFP certification are also called particle filtering half masks. The differences in the protection classes can be summarized relatively easily.
The following categories can be distinguished:
FFP1
This type protects the wearer from fine dust, smoke and water and oil-based aerosols. In doing so, the workplace limit value (AGW) is undercut by a factor of 4. The protection refers primarily to non-toxic dusts
FFP2
In addition to the particles from which the FFP1 mask also protects, this type also filters harmful dusts and carcinogenic water- and oil-based dusts.
The limit value according to the AGW is undercut here by a factor of 10 and this mask also protects against toxic dusts. Viruses and droplets already have no chance here.
You can find a FFP2 example from Germany here.
- ✔ Atemschutz 100% Made in Germany: alle Rohstoffe kommen aus Deutschland, um eine transparente Wertschöpfungskette und allerhöchste Qualität zu gewährleisten
- ✔ FFP2 – Limit wurden übertroffen: durch Filtration feiner Partikel/Tröpfchen/Aerosole erzielt die Schutzmaske eine 98% Filterwirkung
- ✔ 4-lagige Maske mit Selbst- Schutz bietet maximalen Schutz vor gesundheitsschädlichen Partikeln sowie gute Zirkulation für den Träger
- ✔ Neuartiges und formoptimiertes Design der Gesichtsmaske sorgt für mehr Passgenauigkeit mit mehr Tragekomfort durch elastische, latexfreie Ohrenbänder und flexiblem Nasenbügel. Entspricht der Norm: EN 149:2001+A1:2009 FFP 2 NR und konform mit der Verordnung (EU) 2016/423
- ✔ Hinweis: Bitte achten Sie bei der Bestellung darauf, dass die Masken von der Lupudu GmbH angeboten werden. Leider bieten auf diesem Listing auch Händler die Ware an, bei der es sich nicht um Original FFP2-Masken von SENTIAS "Made in Germany" handeln könnte.
FFP3
The Ferrari among the FFP masks protects against the same substances as the FFP2 mask – only much more effectively.
Thus, the AGW value is 30 times lower here. This means that these masks meet even the highest standards of occupational safety.
Can I protect other people from the corona virus with an oronasal mask?
As already mentioned, studies from the USA and elsewhere have shown that the mouth and nose mask is one of the most important means of fighting the virus. This is due to the most common transmission route of the virus – aerosols.
These are the smallest particles and suspended particles that are produced when speaking, breathing, coughing or clearing your throat. They can fly several meters into a room and remain in the air for a long period of time.
If these aerosols carry a viral load, virus transmission to other people present in the room is almost inevitable. Unless a suitable breathing mask ensures that either hardly any or no aerosols are emitted or that they are not inhaled.
Basically, a few important points can be made on the question of how well a mouth and nose protector protects other people from the corona virus:
- The more protective layers your own fabric mask offers, the better the protection for others
- If the wearer makes application errors, such as not covering the nose, the positive effect is greatly reduced
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