Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - According to the Ministry of Health, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has so far burned almost 6.7 million masks, which cost around 4.4 million euros to purchase. According to dpa information, these were so-called "craft masks" that caused a stir in the first few months of the pandemic.
The masks were delivered in spring 2020 by a Bielefeld company for self-assembly. When the “craft masks” were delivered to daycare centers alongside normal masks, there were massive complaints from there. The then Minister for Family Affairs Joachim Stamp (FDP) apologized in writing to the institutions ("To make one thing clear: They are not craft aunts and craft uncles, but highly qualified educational staff or day care workers.")
According to the Ministry of Health, the medical masks cost 66 cents each at the time. The expiry date of the 6.7 million masks has now expired. Therefore, they were "thermally recycled". There are countless other masks in the country's "quarantine camp" that have to be disposed of. In addition, the shelf life for millions of protective gowns expires this year. Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann told the "WAZ" last week that these gowns - as long as they have not expired - would also be donated to aid organizations.
