A recent opinion piece in JAMA by Eli Perencevich, M.D., a professor of internal medicine and epidemiology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, and two of his colleagues pointed to such benefits of shields for infection prevention, and noted that
“face shields appear to significantly reduce the amount of inhalation exposure to influenza virus, another droplet-spread respiratory virus. In a simulation study, face shields were shown to reduce immediate viral exposure by 96 percent when worn by a simulated health care worker within 18 inches of a cough.”
In an April 19 tweet Perencevich wrote,
“Biggest benefit of face shields would be inside crowded office situations where air exchanges aren’t ideal.”
Source:
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/shields-compared-to-masks.html
Due to the current pandemic, there is a misconception that face shields visors are just for healthcare workers, but it’s a personal protective equipment that can be used by everyone as it serves as an essential barrier that protects us from air borne viruses and hazardous particles. It is seamless and crucial for workers that are exposed to impact, chemical splash, and airborne debris. The face shield can be used in a variety of professions and establishments such as healthcare workers, dental providers, veterinary care personnel, laboratory workers, law enforcement agencies, industrial workers, private sector staff, bank employees and custodial staff dealing with spills and contaminated waste.
Now that you have access to the malls, parks, beaches and much more, while stepping out with the family, try abiding by the precautionary measures specially for your children.
Lauren Lek, head of school at Academy of Our Lady of Peace, in San Diego, plans to have her 750 returning faculty and students wear face shields at school rather than masks this August.
“Safety and health for our community is a priority for us in reopening,” she says. “As soon as we saw from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and our local public health office that face shields would be an acceptable alternative to face masks, we knew this was a direction we wanted to move in.”
Source:
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/shields-compared-to-masks.html
Kids tend to be less informed and irrational, yet no less likely to transmit a virus.
Face protection visors for kids serve as an additional layer of protection and they can certainly make a big difference in protecting them against hazards of any kind.
