Could Face Shields Be the New Masks?
(For *Outdoor* Activities)
I was wondering about outdoor dining at restaurants (when that is permitted) and thought, if we shift activities outdoors, isn’t the concern just large droplets? And if so, in many ways, wouldn’t face shields be better than masks?
They protect the eyes (I wonder whether some Asian countries and some places like the Czech Republic are doing better because more people wear glasses vs contacts), you only need one (addressing shortage issues, plus a YouTuber shows how to make one out of a 2-liter soda bottle), you can dine with one on, and people might be more willing to wear one socially because others can still see your face.
The main drawbacks I can think of are that they would do less for aerosols and they probably wouldn’t do as much for source control as masks (Yesterday I sneezed with my mask on during a walk and yes, it traps a LOT of the sneeze in).
Thoughts?
I don’t think they’d replace masks — maybe wear both when shopping indoors, but I could see them being especially useful if dining outside or when socializing with friends.
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-face...sks-2020-5
A recent JAMA opinion article recently suggested this:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fu...erm=042920
(For *Outdoor* Activities)
I was wondering about outdoor dining at restaurants (when that is permitted) and thought, if we shift activities outdoors, isn’t the concern just large droplets? And if so, in many ways, wouldn’t face shields be better than masks?
They protect the eyes (I wonder whether some Asian countries and some places like the Czech Republic are doing better because more people wear glasses vs contacts), you only need one (addressing shortage issues, plus a YouTuber shows how to make one out of a 2-liter soda bottle), you can dine with one on, and people might be more willing to wear one socially because others can still see your face.
The main drawbacks I can think of are that they would do less for aerosols and they probably wouldn’t do as much for source control as masks (Yesterday I sneezed with my mask on during a walk and yes, it traps a LOT of the sneeze in).
Thoughts?
I don’t think they’d replace masks — maybe wear both when shopping indoors, but I could see them being especially useful if dining outside or when socializing with friends.
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-face...sks-2020-5
A recent JAMA opinion article recently suggested this:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fu...erm=042920