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To protect against the corona virus, more people from risk groups should receive FFP2 masks financed by the federal government than initially planned.
After a comparison with the data of insured persons from the health insurance companies, 34.1 million instead of 27 million citizens are to be sent vouchers for twelve FFP2 masks these days, as Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said in Berlin on Monday.
According to him, vouchers are sent for two times six - a total of twelve - protective masks, which not only minimize the risk of infection for others, but also largely shield the wearer from viruses.
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The federal government had decided to issue the masks for this winter as protection for people at a particularly high risk of serious or fatal disease - this includes people over the age of 60 and people with certain chronic diseases.
With the coupons they should be able to pick up the masks in pharmacies.
Costs of more than two billion euros
A personal contribution of two euros is planned for each six masks.
The federal government already calculated costs of around 2.5 billion euros for 27 million beneficiaries.
FFP2 masks are particularly effective in filtering particles from inhaled or exhaled air, but they also do not offer 100 percent protection.
With a view to possible further corona requirements for wearing masks, Spahn explained that FFP2 masks offer the highest protection.
But even surgical masks that can be obtained for cents would have stronger protection than everyday masks made of fabric.
In principle, FFP2 masks and surgical masks are now generally available.
The now 34.1 million recipients of FFP2 masks already correspond to a considerable part of the total population.