Should you be wearing a mask?


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Face shields should wrap around the face and extend below the chin, according to the CDC.  (Photo: Amazon)
Face shields should wrap around the face and extend below the chin, according to the CDC. (Photo: Amazon)

COVID-19 cases are emerging across the country, making it incredibly clear that we should be doing everything we can to try to control the spread of the virus. That means practicing social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and wearing a face mask when you can’t keep six feet away from others.

Many states and stores now require people to wear some form of facial coverage. And, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says face masks are the preferred method of covering the nose and mouth in public, infectious disease experts say a face shield may be a good alternative. .

For the record: CDC does not recommend face shields for normal daily activities or as a substitute for fabric face liners. Why? The CDC says it is unknown whether these shields can offer protection against the spread of COVID-19.

But public health experts argue that face shields can be a good tool in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. A research article published in the magazine. Jamaica suggests that face shields could help reduce the number of COVID-19 infections, along with practicing social distancing, good hand hygiene, and increased access to evidence. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) also recommends face shields in its policy review for the reopening of schools in Pennsylvania.

It is important to note that face shields do not offer 100 percent protection. A cough simulator study published in the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Magazine He found that 4 percent of the cough particles can get under a face shield just after the cough occurs. However, 96 percent did not.

Many face shields have adjustable elastic bands for a perfect fit.  (Photo: Amazon)
Many face shields have adjustable elastic bands for a perfect fit. (Photo: Amazon)

But cloth masks aren’t perfect either. Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, principal investigator for the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Safety, tells Yahoo Life that, in theory, face shields should at least offer some form of protection. “You have to remember that the eyes are a route of infection and face shields are a method of protection,” she says. “We use face shields when caring for patients, and they are much easier to use correctly than masks.”

While it is possible to use a face shield alone, it is especially effective when combined with a face mask, Dr. Richard Watkins, an infectious disease doctor and professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells Yahoo Life. “A face shield with a mask is better than a mask alone to decrease the risk of COVID-19,” he says. “When I see patients with COVID-19, I always wear eye protection.”

Face shields are also better than nothing for people who don’t want to wear a mask, can’t wear a mask, or have a health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, says Adalja. (The CDC has more about both).

Please note that face shields do not meet the criteria for covering your face in every city, state, and store, so please check your local requirements before wearing one in public.

If you are interested in trying out a face shield, the CDC recommends making sure it wraps around the sides of the face and extends under the chin. Don’t forget, too, that disposables should be thrown away after use and reusable ones should be completely disinfected after use.

Do you want to try a face shield? Here are two highly rated options to consider:

These lightweight shields offer 180 degrees of protection.  (Photo: Amazon)
These lightweight shields offer 180 degrees of protection. (Photo: Amazon)

Get to know the best-selling No. 1 face shields on Amazon. The Sunzel Face Shield Set offers 10 anti-fog face shields and five reusable goggles for additional eye protection. Shields easily attach to the glasses for a perfect fit and wrap around the face to protect against drops and saliva.

These face shields are treated with an anti-fog and anti-static coating.  (Photo: Amazon)
These face shields are treated with an anti-fog and anti-static coating. (Photo: Amazon)

This safety face shield comes in a pack of 2 and offers full face protection and an anti-fog coating to help you see clearly. The adjustable elastic band offers a comfortable fit, and the sponge headband helps keep you comfortable, even during long-term use.

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