Germans Face Fines Of Up To $5,000 As Wearing A Face Mask Becomes Mandatory

[appalachiablue]

Source: CNN

Potsdam, Germany (CNN) Public life changed considerably for most Germans on Monday as the wearing of masks became mandatory in many public spaces across the country. In an interior design store on the main shopping street of Potsdam, just outside of Berlin, all the customers were sticking to the new regulations.

Store manager Carolin Hucke said the masks made both her and her patrons feel calmer. "I can tell that people are more at ease," Hucke said while wiping shopping baskets with disinfectant, and adding, "they keep their distance and are more sensitive to the situation, but they are also less stressed and just watch out for each other."

From last week, Germany loosened many of the restrictions on public life that were designed to halt the spread of coronavirus. Shops no larger than 800 square meters (8,600 sq. ft.) were allowed to reopen. So were car dealers and bicycle stores, regardless of their size.

But there is a patchwork of rules and penalties across Germany on the use of masks. Fines for not ensuring that face coverings are worn range from €15 ($16) to €5,000, with rates differing across the country's 16 federal states. Some states are not imposing any fines...

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/27/europe/germany-face-mask-mandatory-grm-intl/index.html

---

- People wearing masks at the Munich central station on Monday.




- Seattle police wearing masks to protect against the Spanish Flu in Nov. 1918.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

[doc03]

1. Apparently they are at least available in Germany nt

[appalachiablue]

2. An 'advanced nation' known for its scientific achievements and

their chancellor, Angela Merkel is a scientist whose views are noted further down in the CNN article.

And the US???

[cstanleytech]

3. I would have problems with wearing anything over my face as I

tend to become overheated when I have in the past and it then triggers a severe asthma attack.

[brer cat]

4. I have asthma and find the face masks very difficult.

I continue to wear them although I only go out for brief trips for groceries and meds.

[cstanleytech]

5. Even a brief time triggers it for me :(

[Kali]

6. my German friend just wrote and told me this

she also said "We are trying to live as normal as things can be these days. [city] has some 300 Corona cases and 9 people have died here so far. Our death rate in Germany is low compared to most other countries. almost 200 cases are healthy in [city] again, but about 40 are in hospital right now. Our friend ___ and his wife ___ had it, bringing it from Italy where they went for skiing. But they stayed at home for four weeks and didn't give it to someone. People act pretty responsible here and support the goverment orders so far, but our economy of course suffers too. But who wants to die that way or be responsibe for someone's death? So everbody stays at home. A lot of people work in home office. Some are not affected. Many are 100% affected like us and wait. Waiting for better times."


bold mine

[appalachiablue]

7. Danke. Your friend has a very sensible, humane outlook with consideration

of the effect on the economy. Mature people in other advanced nations like Germany seem to possess a stronger sense of sharing and hold more positive communal perspectives. The American sense of unity and the common good has been diminishing, and it has to change.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Supermarkets were interesting here in the US today

Walmart, no problems. I was a little confused by the new "one-way" aisles. Do you shop in one direction? One customer didn't like my direction, but it was mild. One checker preferred 10 foot distancing.

One supermarket worker was not wearing a mask. This in the store with signs every 10 feet, one-way through entrance and exit. Security guards dressed a la state police to enforce, checking ages at the door. I wanted to buy something Maskless's department, but I just left quickly. And the store is half empty, same as 4 weeks ago when I last went there. Public address is a mix of music and announcements that they are restocking, have trucks arriving daily, and give great value. Like chickens at $2.29 a pound. Ahem.

There is no whole wheat flour, and two stores had no flour at all. Very little baking powder. Not a very good selection of stick margarine.

So yes I see shortages on the horizon. Just like Britain and US WWII. Cooking oils in short supply then.

[Blue Owl]

9. Send Pence there, pronto

n/t

[RobinA]

10. Masks Make Them

feel calmer?!?!? I am homicidal when I have a mask on for any length of time, particularly in the grocery store. I can't breathe, I can't see, and I can't think. Plus, sweat is pouring down my face. I've got N95s, surgical, homemade, and they all drive me nuts. Partly it's because I wear glasses. The home mades I got aren't even wearable, although two of them are nice in a theoretical way.