Germany: The use of a mask is mandatory

Germany: The use of a mask is mandatory

The Germans, however, seem unconvinced of the risk of becoming infected with the Coronavirus in their daily activities.

It is imperative across the country this week to use a protective mask for public transport passengers and customers of commercial stores, as part of the gradual easing of restrictions on the corona pandemic. The Germans, however, seem unconvinced of the risk of becoming infected with the virus in their daily activities.

With Saxony as the first to impose a mask on April 20, and lastly Schleswig-Holstein, which will implement the measure from next Wednesday, all German states are now adopting a central government for the use of nose protection. mouth. In seven states, fines have already been imposed on violators, while during Chancellor Angela Merkel's teleconference with the prime ministers of the states on Thursday, the fines are expected to be introduced at the federal level. 

Indicatively, in Bavaria the fine for not using a mask on the bus or on the subway is 150 euros, while it can reach 5,000 euros, for shopkeepers who do not take care that their staff bring the appropriate protection. At the same time, Berlin imposes the use of a mask only on means of transport and is still limited to warning remarks, without fines.

However, according to research from the University of Erfurt in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute, one in three Germans finds it unlikely that they will be infected by the coronavirus in their daily activities, such as visiting shops and clinics.

He also considers the risk of associating with people outside his family environment to be "low". "We don't know if these are people who are consciously controlling the risk or not taking it seriously," said lead researcher Cornelia Betsch, who expressed surprise at the results. "People would expect They think that the more often they repeat an activity, the more likely they are to be infected with Covid-19, "said Ms Bets in Der Spiegel, noting that the Germans are more likely to be" accustomed to the crisis "and consider it" right. " Important measures taken by the government. "Irritability" or even "anger" about the restrictions is expressed by 20%, with the percentage mainly affecting people under 30 years of age.

This "Cosmo" survey is repeated every week and serves as a tool for understanding citizens' acceptance of the measures. At least 40 countries have copied her model so far.