Behind the scenes

European countries split over use of medical-grade face masks

Germany and Austria mandate use of expensive FFP2 masks while WHO backs fabric coverings

by Chas Newkey-Burden

15 Feb 2021

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 15 Feb 2021

Angela Merkel puts on a FFP2 face mask

Angela Merkel puts on FFP2 face mask

Kay Nietfeld/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

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