Germany mandated the wearing of surgical masks, commonly called N95 while traveling public transport and public places two days ago. Previously clinical studies have shown cloth masks’ efficacy varies from 30 percent to 80 percent. Last December, a German community-based comparative study found normal masks’ efficacy as 45 percent.

The following image was taken from the CNN World website; it clearly compares the efficacy of cloth masks, surgical masks, and the N95 (respirator).