some smaller filtering fabric masks are now not recommended

The High Council of Public Health (HCSP) warns: in the face of the emergence and circulation of the new British variant of coronavirus in France, it recommends avoiding the use of masks made from less filtering substances

“On the occasion of the penetration in Europe of certain new variants (…) that are more transmissible, while the modes of transmission have not changed, the question arises as to the category of masks that can be offered to the general population,” said Didier Lepelletier, co-chair of HCSP Covid-19 working group.

This working group of the advisory body prepared its new recommendations this weekend for transfer to the Ministry of Health.

Use a Category 1 reusable cloth mask, instead of Category 2 masks

The doctor of health and public health described as “a good thing in this period” the fact “to wear a reusable clothing mask in category 1, instead of masks in category 2 that filter a little less well, or even manufactured masks. a traditional way in which there is no control over their performance achieved “.

According to the standards developed by Afnor, category 1 masks filter 90% of the particles, while category 2 masks only block 70%.

“Category 1 fabric masks, supplied by manufacturers, validated by the Directorate-General for Armed Forces, in terms of performance, are as effective as surgical masks,” Professor Lepelletier assured.

FFP2 masks “not necessarily a good thing”

On the other hand, he considers that the use of FFP2 masks, filtering at least 94% of aerosols, in the general population “is not necessarily a good thing because we will not be able to check” that they are “well worn.” and “adapted to the morphology of the face”.