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Protection against corona: 82 percent ventilate more frequently

02/2021, 11.01.2021

BfR-Corona-Monitor investigates how people protect themselves against the virus

Despite cold temperatures, the population counts on fresh air to avoid contracting the coronavirus. This is shown by the results of the 26th edition of the BfR-Corona-Monitor, a regular survey by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). In all age groups, about four out of five respondents say they ventilate more frequently. For other measures, however, the behaviour of the generations differs: "Of those under 40 years of age, 18 percent say they have food delivered more frequently", says BfR-President Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel. "In the age group 60 years and older, on the other hand, only seven percent make use of such offers."

• BfR-Corona-Monitor - as to 5 - 6 January 2021 (504.6 KB)

In addition to more frequent ventilation, the respondents try to protect themselves from an infection mainly by wearing masks, keeping distance to other people and washing their hands more frequently. The mandatory use of masks was approved by 93 percent of the respondents, the distance regulation by 96 percent. With the end of the Christmas holidays, the closure of day-care centres and schools is still considered appropriate by 67 percent - this is four percentage points less than in the week before Christmas.

The population is still aware that proximity to others plays a central role in the transmission of the coronavirus. Around three quarters of the respondents still consider the probability of contracting the virus via this pathway to be high. In comparison: Door handles are seen by 47 percent as a likely route of infection. Only 13 percent consider transmission through food to be probable.

The BfR continually adapts its FAQs on the topic of coronavirus to the current state of science:

• Can the new type of coronavirus be transmitted via food and objects?

About the BfR-Corona-Monitor

The BfR-Corona-Monitor is a recurring (multi-wave) representative survey of the German population's perception of risks from the novel coronavirus. Every week between 24 March and 26 May 2020, around 500 randomly selected people were asked by telephone about their assessment of the risk of infection and their protective measures, among other things. Since June 2020, the survey is continued every two weeks with about 1,000 respondents each. A summary of the data is regularly published on the homepage of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. More information about the method and sample can be found in publications about the BfR-Corona-Monitor.

About the BfR

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the German federal government and German federal states ("Laender") on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.

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