Are fabric masks allowed? And are masks useful at all? The answers to the most important questions about the mask requirement, which will apply to public transport from Monday.
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A woman with a protective mask on the train
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When coughing or sneezing, some of the droplets remain in the mask tissue. In addition, the mask brakes the airflow vigorously. The droplets that escape from the mask move much less than with an unchecked airflow. This reduces the risk of other people becoming infected. To a certain extent, the mask also protects the person who wears it. Both effects come into play especially when people cannot keep the recommended distance of 1.5 meters.
In recent months, it has occasionally been argued that masks could also be counterproductive because they gave the wrong feeling of security. However, the national scientific task force now more likely suspects that the risk awareness of the population increases due to the mask requirement.
This is unclear, the federal government has no figures. Aargau provides detailed information on places of infection: In the 137 cases across the cantons since mid-May, no public transport has been noted as a place of infection. However, this does not mean that this was never the case: While infection within the family or at work is relatively easy to understand, it is more difficult in public transport. According to the Federal Council, it is unclear where someone got infected in around a third of the cases.
Basically, the following applies: The risk of transmission is increased in closed rooms in which the distance cannot be maintained. This applies to full trains and buses.
The mask requirement only applies to those aged 12 and over. There is also an exception for people who cannot wear masks for medical reasons, for example.
That depends: industrially manufactured textile masks can be worn. The Federal Office of Public Health advises against self-sewn masks, however, because they offer too little protection. Whether a controller can tell the difference is another question. One thing is clear: it is not enough to wrap a scarf around your mouth and nose.
It depends on two factors: how well the mask fits the face and how good the tissue is. According to a recently published American study, even with a simple self-made mask, the viruses are distributed far less widely in the room. Double fabric masks and surgical masks offer better protection. For fabric masks, it is advisable to look for the “TESTEX Community Mask” label from the Empa research institute. The standard EN 14683 applies to surgical masks (surgical masks).
Masks with particle filters are less suitable for everyday use and are only recommended in special areas, for example for medical staff with certain medical treatments.
Since the virus is also spread through the hands, hands should be washed if possible before putting on and taking off. The mask should only be touched by the straps. It must completely cover the nose and mouth. If the mask has a metal bracket, it should be bent so that the tissue is as close as possible to the nose. The mask is replaced as soon as it is moistened with the air we breathe. Disposable masks should be disposed of immediately after use, reusable cloth masks should be washed at least 60 degrees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThZQukP50zI
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Mask consumption is expected to skyrocket from Monday. SBB alone normally transports 1.3 million passengers a day. Currently there are significantly fewer (60 percent in long-distance and 70 percent in regional traffic). Nevertheless, SBB passengers alone will need several million masks a week.
Unlike at the beginning of the crisis, Switzerland now has many in stock. The army pharmacy had bought around 306 million hygiene masks by mid-June. Of these, 22 million were sold to the cantons and 18 million to retail, as the Defense Department says. Private companies also procure masks. In addition, various Swiss companies are now producing fabric masks.
Disposable masks cost around one franc each. If you are lucky and can benefit from an action, you can get it cheaper. Cloth masks cost around 15 to 20 francs, but they can be washed and worn several times.
No, the masks have to be bought by the travelers themselves. The aid organization Caritas warns that the obligation to wear a mask can be a heavy financial burden for people on a small budget. Spokesman Stefan Gribi says: “Because of the corona crisis, people who were just above the poverty line came into an emergency. Every franc counts for them. »
It can be expensive, especially for regular commuters and families: If a family has two children over the age of 12 who have to go to school by public transport, this alone costs 50 to 100 francs per month. Caritas has therefore quickly launched a new offer: According to Gribi, masks will be available free of charge in the Caritas markets next week, initially 10,000 pieces. Only those affected by poverty have access – only those who have an authorization card can shop in the Caritas markets.
Anyone who refuses to wear a mask has to get off at the next station. If someone behaves annoyingly, they can be fined for disobedience.
Checks when boarding or the like are not planned. SBB spokesman Reto Schärli says that in long-distance transport the staff will draw the attention of passengers who are not wearing masks to the current duty – as is the case today with “improper behavior”. “If necessary, the transport police or corresponding security services are called in.” The responsibility to wear a mask lies with the customer, especially in the unaccompanied regional traffic.
Postbus handles it in a similar way. The chauffeurs will not monitor compliance, as a spokeswoman says. The control staff informed the passengers of the obligation to wear a mask – and could call in the police in the event of a dispute.
Because the preparatory work still takes time. The Federal Council made the fundamental decision on Wednesday; the regulation on this will be adopted on Thursday. And the transport companies have to prepare. A Postbus spokeswoman says: “We will now have to work hard to ensure that our customers know the new mask requirement in a timely manner and will wear a mask in the Postbus from Monday on.”
The app only registers the distance between two smartphones and cannot recognize whether someone is wearing a mask. It can happen that she considers a situation to be risky, although the risk of infection due to the masks is low. The Federal Office of Public Health has not yet issued a recommendation on this question. In the face of an impending second wave, however, it can be said: Better an app warning too much than one too little.
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