There has been several threads on this board about masks, and the debates have been quite heated. Many concerns/criticisms about wearing face coverings/masks were made.
However, data continues to support that a face covering/mask is an effective strategy in reducing transmission/viral spread, and we need to continue to implement new or novel strategies as we go back to our normal lives to reduce the potential of new outbreaks.
This group has put together an interesting case for adoption of face shields over face covering/masks to continue to reduce transmission/infection.
https://reflectionsipc.com/2020/06/12/the-case-for-face-shields-in-preventing-the-spread-of-covid-19/
I think a lot of points made here are sound (although not perfect and don't agree with all), they do answer a lot of the previous issues/concerns with face masks, and should at least be discussed as an alternative solution.
However, data continues to support that a face covering/mask is an effective strategy in reducing transmission/viral spread, and we need to continue to implement new or novel strategies as we go back to our normal lives to reduce the potential of new outbreaks.
This group has put together an interesting case for adoption of face shields over face covering/masks to continue to reduce transmission/infection.
Quote:
As with any prevention measure, this goes back to our understanding of the way that SARS-CoV-2 is spread. Most of the evidence supports that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily spread in respiratory droplets, with contact and transmission through small aerosol particles secondary. (If SARS-CoV-2 was an "airborne" pathogen in the same way as, for example, measles, you'd expect R0 and household attack rates to be much higher.)
There is I think it's fair to say emerging evidence that face shields reduce the exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably. If you can get comfortable that face shields provide adequate protection of the respiratory tract, they offer you the following benefits over a face mask:Most international guidelines recommend face coverings or medical/surgical masks to protect the respiratory tract from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 without direct reference to face shields. Although interesting to see the IDSA guidelines for easing COVID-19 distancing restrictions make a very brief reference to face shields in the same breath as masks). I hope that over time the evidence base for face shields will improve and they will be adopted widely because of the practical benefits over face coverings and masks.
- They cover your eyes in addition to your mouth and nose; they also cover your face so stop the prospect of a respiratory droplet landing on your face which is then (for want of a better word) smeared into contact with a mucous membrane.
- They make it much harder for you to touch your face (a bit like a dog collar for humans!).
- They offer the potential for decontamination and reuse (although disposable is probably ideal).
- They have less chance of prompting the occupational hazards of long-term wearing face masks (painful / damaged ears and nose bridges).
- With a bit of thought, you could find a way to drink a cuppa and eat a sandwich with them on (possibly).
- It's easier to communicate through them because people can see your whole face for expressions and lip reading.
- Supply chains are likely to be more robust for face shields than masks (and there are examples of where production lines have been repurposed for face shield production).
https://reflectionsipc.com/2020/06/12/the-case-for-face-shields-in-preventing-the-spread-of-covid-19/
I think a lot of points made here are sound (although not perfect and don't agree with all), they do answer a lot of the previous issues/concerns with face masks, and should at least be discussed as an alternative solution.
