What kind of mask should we put on in what situation?

There are three categories of masks:

• cloth masks: washable and reusable, they can be made at home. They generally have less filtration power than other types of masks.
• Surgical masks: these are disposable masks normally used by caregivers: they filter well, but may leak on the sides.
• protective respirators and elastomeric respirators (FFP2, N95, KP95, etc.). Their filtering power and especially their tightness on the face are better than previous masks.

See the question What are the different types of masks?

In deciding which mask to use in which situation, the most important thing to consider is the ability of a mask to prevent the spread of the virus, i.e., its filtering power and adherence to the face, and the level of risk of the situation you are in. Particles should not be able to enter or exit through or around the mask. Adhesion to the face is an important factor: if there is just a small gap between the mask and the face, about a centimeter in size, this can reduce the effectiveness of the mask by 60%. Therefore, care must be taken not to cross the elastics of surgical masks to shorten them. The mask may "yawn" at the sides and no longer fit the face. To shorten the elastics, it is better to tie a knot on the elastic itself. The masks with the greatest filtering capacity are respirators, but they are also the least comfortable for prolonged use. Fabric masks are generally less filtering than surgical or FFP2 masks. With the emergence of new coronavirus variants (see the question What are the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variants that have attracted attention? and the question What do we know about the UK variant?), it is likely that coronavirus transmission will become increasingly easier between people, so it is wise to protect yourself and others with effective masks!

The risk depends on the number of people around us (the higher the density, the higher the risk), the sound volume (the louder the volume, the higher the risk), the size of the room (the smaller the room, the higher the risk), the ventilation of the place (the less ventilation, the higher the risk), the time spent (the longer the time, the higher the risk), and our activity (the more out of breath, the higher the risk). See the question How do we assess risks in our daily lives?

Depending on the risk level of everyday situations (high, moderate, low), different types of masks can be worn: high-risk situations with an FFP2 mask, moderate-risk situations with a surgical mask and low-risk situations with a fabric mask.

The following is a decision aid for deciding which type of mask to use in the following situations:

• when walking in the open air in a lesser frequented place, if you are certain that you will not to start a conversation with someone, if you avoid close encounters, and if you stay more than two meters away to greet each other: no mask
• outdoors if having a conversation or interaction within 2 meters of each other for more than 15 minutes: surgical or fabric mask
• outdoors in a very crowded place (crowds, demonstrations, queues, etc.) in a region where the COVID-19 epidemic is active (i.e., there potentially may be many people with COVID-19) : surgical mask
• In a well-ventilated place with open windows: surgical mask
• In the toilet: surgical mask or FFP2. Toilets are an enclosed and confined space; flushing produces an aerosol that could be a contaminant. See the question Can the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus be caught by going to the bathroom?
• In the elevator: surgical mask. See our tips Taking the elevator.
• In the lobby of your building: surgical mask.
• At the office if you share it with others: surgical mask or FFP2 . See our tips Going to the office.
• At the hairdresser: surgical mask or FFP2.
• At the supermarket: surgical mask or FFP2. See our advice Going to a store.
• In restaurants and bars: it is not possible to put on a mask while eating or drinking! Several cases of contamination have occurred in restaurants, always indoors in poorly ventilated spaces. No contamination has been described on the outdoor patio. We therefore advise you to eat on the outdoor terrace or in a well-ventilated place.
• In a place where you are close to people singing: surgical mask or FFP2.
• At the cinema: surgical mask or FFP2 because you will stay more than an hour next to other people.
• In the bus, subway, tram, train: FFP2 mask. See our tips Taking the bus/metro
• In the taxi: surgical mask or FFP2. See our advice on taking a taxi.
• during a long journey by train or plane: FFP2 mask. Avoid eating during the journey, if possible.

To be effective, the mask must cover the nose and mouth well. If you need to make a phone call, do not remove your mask. Sound passes well through the mask.