Since the obligation to wear mouth and nose protection has fallen in many areas, there have been many strange looks and moods. An argument.
Around noon in the Eastgate in Marzahn. Seniors, parents with small children and young people stroll through the shopping center in the north-east of our city. About every second person here wears a mask – voluntarily. In some couples, only the woman has put on a mouth and nose protector, the man has not. A typical image that illustrates the uncertainty and inner turmoil within many families.
Life without a mask has been possible in many areas of Berlin for three weeks now. Only in buses, trains, medical practices and care facilities is there still a legal obligation. But politicians and scientists keep appealing to put on the mask voluntarily, to play it safe.
Also Richard H. (24) from Marzahn continues to wear mouth and nose protection. The trained carpenter says: “After two years I just got used to it. And it not only gives me security, but also protects elderly and pre-ill people I meet while shopping.”
educator Elisa H. (22) from Marzahn is also on its way to Eastgate this morning. She wants to buy new shoes for her twin boys (5) – without a mask. “I’ve been topless since April 1st and I’m glad to finally be able to breathe again.”
BZ met the two Berliners for a debate
“You’re already wearing the mask here in the fresh air, that’s totally absurd,” Elisa H. starts right away.
“I do that automatically on the way to the store, it doesn’t bother me at all, even if my glasses keep fogging up,” says Richard H.
“The mask bothers me a lot,” said the 22-year-old. “I keep having the feeling that I can’t breathe properly, and in summer I even feel dizzy. And the skin also suffers from constant wear.”
The carpenter replied: “These are just minor inconveniences, the protective effect is greater.”
Elisa H. counters: “My parents always wore masks and both got Corona – fortunately only a mild course. Things don’t really seem to protect,” she says.
He shakes his head vehemently: “But the incidences were so high recently. Masks definitely reduce the risk of infection. In any case, I’ve hardly had a cold in the last two years. And without the obligation, the incidences might have been significantly higher,” says Richard H., emphasizing: “And maybe they’re going up again now.”
The fact is: on March 31, the 7-day incidence in Berlin was 953.9. The mask requirement ended the day after. Now – three weeks later – the incidence is 350.5 (as of Thursday). Almost 63 percent less.
It is also a fact: The only two federal states, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Hamburg, which have used the so-called hotspot rule to extend the obligation to wear masks and 3G rules, currently have the highest incidences in Germany – the Hanseatic city is 1001.1 (as of: Thursday), Meck-Pomm at 745.7 (as of Wednesday).
Of course, it is also logical: the more people test themselves, the more positive results there are. The fewer people who test themselves, the more the incidence falls.
► Berlin incidence increases to 413.2 – most cases in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
► Longest known infection: Corona patient positive for 505 days!
Elisha H: “I don’t like being looked at in a derogatory way because I’m traveling without one.”
The carpenter interrupts her: “But I’ve also been looked at several times in the hardware store because I’m wearing a mask. That is also extremely annoying.”
It is unclear exactly how many Berliners are still wearing mouth and nose protection. At BZ-Ted of the week on April 10, 70 percent of callers said they were still wearing a mask.
A nationwide survey by the retail association HDE showed: 81 percent of the companies surveyed by the association stated that the majority of their customers continued to wear a mask in their shop.
“In the fall, the numbers will definitely rise again, and then the obligation will certainly come back,” says Richard H.
“Don’t do it,” scolds Elisa H. “Up to now, my children have managed to avoid it. I definitely want to spare them the obligation to wear masks.” Next year the twins will be 6, then the obligation would also apply to them.
“And one more thing,” says the young mother. “I think that masks should finally be compulsory on buses and trains. It is completely unclear to me why different rules apply there than in the supermarket. And in local transport you can hardly breathe without a mask because of the overcrowding.”
Richard H. counters: “That’s why the duty is particularly important there – where many people meet in a small space. As far as I’m concerned, masks could always be mandatory on buses and trains. Then you don’t have to put up with all the bad smells.” Even the young mother has to smile.
Then the two go their separate ways in Eastgate. Richard H. with, Elisa H. without a mask. Everyone is and remains convinced of their decision.
“I’ve lost faith in humanity”
Yagoda (23): “We work in the health sector and I feel a certain responsibility for my patients in my free time, which I don’t want to infect. That’s why I keep putting on the mask.” Larissa (23): “I’ve lost faith in humanity in the last few months of the pandemic, so it doesn’t really surprise me that people don’t wear masks anymore, even though it would help . Well, the time of self-responsibility, whether that works…”
Romeo (23): “I actually always wear the mask out of habit, and I also feel safer.”
Karina (28): “I absolutely cannot understand the people who still wear masks today. I am very happy: finally taking a deep breath again, finally seeing other people smile again. You want to be able to look the other person in the face! In the family we have all been vaccinated three times and still had Corona, although we observed the measures. So you can’t completely protect yourself from the infection anyway and I finally want to live normally again.”
Marius (32): “I’m a chemist at Pfizer and for that reason alone I’ve always had a more intensive look at the corona pandemic than others. In the two years I got used to the masks. I don’t mind wearing it anymore. It’s really the smallest limitation we have left and it helps.”
Ella (31): “We all had Corona in our circle of friends and yet I think it’s even safer to wear a mask given the incidences. I don’t understand why some people don’t wear a mask when it gets crowded around them.”
Andrew (32): “I’m a technical draftsman and in our office we all continue to wear masks, which I think is absolutely right. In this respect, I’m used to wearing a mask, it’s no drama for me. It only bothers me on longer train journeys, where it can get annoying, then it chafes behind the ears. I will continue to wear the mask, especially when shopping, until it feels right to take it off.”
