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Kiel (dpa / lno) - The SPD has failed with the demand that Schleswig-Holsteiners provide FFP2 masks against the corona virus free of charge to wear on buses and trains as well as when shopping.
The state parliament rejected the application on Wednesday.
To justify its initiative, the SPD referred to the federal and state government's duty to wear medical masks that provide better protection against infection.
In particular, low-income and poor people should be relieved.
FFP2 masks are safer than others that are also dubbed medical, said the SPD social politician Birte Pauls.
Health protection shouldn't depend on the wallet.
The Jamaica Koaliion wants to burden families additionally.
The coalition rejected that.
Exclusion for financial reasons is inconceivable, said CDU parliamentary group vice-president Katja Rathje-Hoffmann.
But incorrectly applied FFP2 masks could also lull the wearer into a false sense of security.
It is correct that the mask requirement expressly also includes the lighter surgical masks.
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According to an alternative proposal by the coalition factions CDU, Greens and FDP, people with low incomes are to be supported in buying masks.
To this end, the state has started a Federal Council initiative.
"We expect the federal and state governments to join in with this proposal quickly," says the motion.
If the federal government does not promptly give a signal to support beneficiaries such as Hartz IV recipients with benefits in kind or in cash, the state will raise budget funds for a special payment of 20 euros each.
This would cost five to six million euros.
The FFP2 masks are probably too expensive for the country, said SPD parliamentary group leader Ralf Stegner.
The "repair costs" are higher.
Stegner's allegations are nonsense, said Finance Minister Monika Heinold (Greens).
They expect the federal government to act.
The only unbureaucratic way would be free distribution, said Stegner.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210127-99-195834 / 2
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SPD application
Request of the coalition groups