At this point in the pandemic, it is clear that nobody truly enjoys wearing face masks wherever they go. They can be uncomfortable, and frankly obnoxious. We realize they may be unpleasant, but are key for keeping yourself and others around you safe. Some have tried to find compromise by opting to wear a plastic face shield. But is a face shield as safe as a face mask?

According to the Center for Disease Control, these plastic face shields do not provide adequate protection. Though they can reduce the spread of COVID-19, they are less effective at preventing droplets from entering the nose or mouth, which is where the virus generally gains access to the body. Medical experts recommend the face shield be used to supplement facemasks, not in lieu of them. 

Recently, researchers have studied how effective these shields really are at reducing the spread of the virus. They have discovered that while the shields do in fact block the initial motion simulated from a sneeze or a cough, the droplets are still penetrating by moving around the visor and escaping into the air. A test was performed in Switzerland that had a group of individuals wearing masks go throughout their days, and not one of them fell ill with COVID-19. But there were several people who wore face shields instead of the masks that ended up testing positive for the virus. So, while these face shields will slow down the virus, they will not fully protect one from transmitting it. 

Dr. Joy Henningsen, a clinical professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, was quoted stating, “There’s no such thing as too many weapons against the novel coronavirus, the more protections, the better. Face coverings, regular hand washing, physical distancing, and staying home as much as possible are very good tools. Add a face shield to all of those requisite practices and you go from good to great.”

For more updates, tips, and predictions related to the healthcare industry and infection control, visit the Coast Biomedical blog.