German firms turn to making masks as demand grows amid coronavirus pandemic

As demand for face masks grows with grual reopening of shops and businesses in Germany, so does ir production.

An increasing number of German states also plans to make wearing masks compulsory in shops, on public transport, or both.

t only large German companies but also many of smaller companies, mainly tailor and fashion shops, have turned to produce fabric masks to be used in everyday life.

Mandy Geddert owns a small shop for sustainable kids' fashion in Berlin and has started to produce washable face masks me of organic fabric when clients began asking for it as early as February.

Once she offered various designs both suitable for ults as well as children online, demand went up rapidly.

Her shop is supplying private households, nursing services, medical staff, physiorapists, midwives as well as trers.

"At moment, it is indeed our core business, and I assume that we will actually continue to produce masks for a while", Geddert explains, ding that customers are currently hesitant to spend on things y do t urgently need.

Geddert expects to sell more masks than clothing for children in coming weeks.

"We actually increasingly tice more orders from individual German states which are w following up with compulsory mask rules", Geddert said.

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.