we Are now – or should we not? The question of the protection masks triggers in Switzerland, a lot of confusion. In the case of the population, but also for experts.
The first question is: What are the masks for? The answer is quite simple. Against droplet protection masks are relatively efficient. If I sneeze, holding back a mask, many of the droplets that might otherwise fly someone else in the face. Against droplets, I could breathe, protects the mask fairly well.
it is Different in the case of the aerosols. Aerosols are tiny particles in the air. If I ausatme, abandons not only clear mountain air in my lungs, but also the smallest particles (especially dust particles), I have inhaled previously. A mask will filter a part of my breath – the Rest goes through the cracks between the mask and my face. Whether the aerosols also corona virus fly, whether I can infect someone, we don’t know quite yet. This is not the Problem with Covid-19: There are a lot of things we don’t know yet.
masks don’t use something, how much is not clear. In such cases, it is said in Switzerland, like, “Use’s experiment, so schadt’s experiment”, and is it safe. Nevertheless, the Federal government is (still) no mask has prescribed duty. For two reasons.
first, there are not an infinite number of masks. Already today, every day, about 2 million masks to be consumed – and especially of Doctors, nurses, midwives, home health care and other that you desperately need. The population also buys masks en mass, it may be that it has too few, and that could dramatically ends. Pictures of Doctors and nurses, the need to protect themselves with improvised Pseudo-masks, because they do not receive right, we don’t want to see in Switzerland, definitely!
The second Problem is that masks can give a false sense of security. Suddenly, it no longer holds less distance, wash your hands thoroughly, summing up more or less at home. Here, Hygiene and home-Stay the best and safest means.
Whether with a mask of duty, or without a doubt, that we are very much in need of many masks. The Federal government expects that we will need in the course of the pandemic, approximately 135 million mask only for the medical staff. The whole population to wear masks, we need even 360 million! Researchers work hard to develop new masks, which provide better protection and longer use.
At Empa, for example, Professor René Rossi, virus tests-repellent coatings, and sterilization methods, which extend the service life of the masks. Also special membranes for the Virus impervious, are investigated at Empa. Rossi and his Team are currently working practically day and night. I wish you much success!
