As a parent, it may be strange to see your child in protective gear, such as a face covering, but retailers are doing their best to design these necessary items in a way that makes it less scary for children (and a little easier for parents to see). There are many places that offer reusable face masks for kids, and now, some school districts are considering adding face shields to the mix for both teachers and students. Also, some people are opting for clear designs to allow for clearer communication with people with hearing problems.
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PPE is now on school shopping lists in many districts
For some parents concerned about how often their kids mess with their face masks, face shields may be the next best option, and this could be the reason why there are now thousands of children’s face shields available in electronic stores. like Etsy, Amazon and Zazzle All designs consist of plastic or PVC shields, but some have added details like fun stickers or connected sun hats that keep the cover in place.
RELATED: Old Navy Just Added Dozens Of New Adult And Kid Face Masks, And You Can Get 5 For Just $ 13
According to John Whyte, MD, the chief medical officer for WebMD and an MSNBC healthcare correspondent, any PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a good PPE, especially if it’s comfortable enough to be worn repeatedly without problems. While experts agree that the N95 face mask works best (although it should be reserved for medical professionals), and that cloth face masks are next in effectiveness, it can be difficult for children to voluntarily wear face covers for a long period of time. weather. And, according to Dr. Whyte, it is crucial to find something that the user does not constantly touch or adjust.
“A shield avoids touching your face,” he says, adding that these face covers “may offer another option for those who feel uncomfortable breathing while wearing a mask.”
Also, many buyers say that face shields seem more viable than face masks, especially for their younger children.
“I’m really thankful that I got this for my little one,” wrote an Amazon buyer in his review of a sun hat. “We had a check-up and she was very concerned about the coronavirus since the baby is too young to wear masks … The most surprising thing is that she doesn’t mind wearing it! We took her to the doctor and she was wearing the hat on and off without any problem. Even the nurse said it’s a brilliant idea to wear that. The hat gives me a lot of comfort.
Dr. Whyte says that protectors can also be great for eyeglass wearers because they won’t make your lenses fog as much. He adds that clear coatings can also have psychological benefits because they can help regain personality through facial expressions and some normality in social situations.
“I think for some people they want to see more facial expressions, they want to see some of their identity, if that helps, then more power for that,” he says.
Dr. Whyte adds that some experts believe that plastic protectors more protect the user from respiratory drops in the air. David Edwards, Ph.D, of Harvard University and founder of Sensory Cloud, agrees with this sentiment, but cautions that open design isn’t as effective as a face mask when it comes to blocking smaller particles.
“With smaller particles, they don’t travel like bullets, they float in the air and underneath that mask you’re still breathing that air,” says Edwards, then adds that when it comes to protection, “anything is better than nothing.”
But Dr. Whyte claims that now is not the time to become too obsessed with statistics. When it comes to weighing the options, he advises choosing the one that’s most convenient. “Anything that helps people use it will be a good thing,” he says. “At the end of the day, some may be a little more effective than others, but we do know that masks, face covers, and face shields work.”
If you’re looking for an option outside of face masks, or if you want an extra layer of protection for your child this school year, shop for 10 of the highest-rated kids face protectors available on Amazon, Etsy, and Zazzle, below.
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Amazon
Buy it! Jastore Kids Boys Girl Dustproof Sun Hat, $ 17.99; amazon.com
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Zazzle
Buy it! Pink and Blue Tiara Crown Face Shield, $ 9.95; zazzle.com
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Etsy
Buy it! Kids Shield Face Mask, $ 17.99; etsy.com
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Amazon
Buy it! Extsud Dustproof Sunhat, $ 14.99 (orig. $ 17.99); amazon.com
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Zazzle
Buy it! Soccer Basketball Baseball Soccer Sports Face Shield, $ 9.95; zazzle.com
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Etsy
Buy it! Children’s face shields with removable decals, $ 16.95; etsy.com
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Amazon
Buy it! Unicorn Kids Baseball Hat with Plastic Shield, $ 18.80; amazon.com
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Etsy
Buy it! Toddler Facial Protectors, $ 6.50; etsy.com
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Zazzle
Buy it! Cute Colorful Monsters Face Shield, $ 9.95; zazzle.com
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Amazon
Buy it! Triworks Sun Hat with PVC Protector, $ 18.99; amazon.com
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