Clear face shields ineffective for COVID
 

I see so many people wearing only a clear face shield at indoor events (church, shopping, rec center events) where masks are required. These shields are useless to protect anyone--neither the wearer nor the other attendees are helped by these shields. They are designed to be worn in combination with a mask. Are people wearing them only to comply with regulations? Or are they misinformed into thinking that they are safe?

I am saddened to think that I will no longer attend these events because of the actions of a few others. I cannot risk bringing COVID home to my family.

Yes, face shields are similar to glasses as far as protection is concerned. They are not mask substitutes.

But nobody will say anything to them so they get to do what they want to do!.

I saw a woman in the market who had a face shield on and had a sticker that said "my mask protects you and your mask protects me". I felt like telling her she wasn't protecting anyone but didn't want to start an argument.

I would imagine if someone who wears a full face shield which comes below the chin, sneezes or coughs, the droplets and "spittle" would be visible all over the shield that sits in front of the mouth and nose. All I can say is thanks for those wearing the face shield who prevent those droplets that entered the surrounding air. Masks do a better job but a face shield is better than nothing at all.

Where does this information come from?

COVID-19: Considerations for Wearing Masks | CDC

Face Shields

A face shield is primarily used for eye protection for the person wearing it. At this time, it is not known what level of protection a face shield provides to people nearby from the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer. There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control. Therefore, CDC does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks.

However, wearing a mask may not be feasible in every situation for some people for example, people who are deaf or hard of hearing—or those who care for or interact with a person who is hearing impaired. Here are some considerations for individuals who must wear a face shield instead of a mask:

Although evidence on face shields is limited, the available data suggest that the following face shields may provide better source control than others:

Face shields that wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend below the chin.
Hooded face shields.

Face shield wearers should wash their hands before and after removing the face shield and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth when removing it.

Disposable face shields should only be worn for a single use and disposed of according to manufacturer instructions.

Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use according to manufacturer instructions or by following CDC face shield cleaning instructions .

Plastic face shields for newborns and infants are NOT recommended.

In other words there isn't nearly enough data to say one way or another if it is effective or not. Just as I thought, emotional knee jerk reactions.

It is fast becoming a moot point as more and more residents do not wear masks......

Two more of our neighbors came down with the virus this week.
They had dinner at a restaurant with people who tested positive.

There is no way to account for where people have been before they meet up with YOU!!!

Removing masks at the dinner table is an open invitation to roll the dice!!!

They are worse than wearing nothing because they give one a very false sense of security. Either wear a mask or not.

You don’t need data, just common sense. Look at a face shield. See the air flow?

And for some people, in my experience, there is not enough data in the world to convince them of anything once their mind is made up.

My information about masks ineffective ? The NIH, The CDC, Johns Hopkins, and other medical journal articles backed by scientific research, such as studies done in switzerland and australia.

There is plenty of data to show that shields aren't effective. If you do not believe medical scientists, look at some of the studies done in Physics journals

Agreed! I wear a full hazmat suit when I go out and I think others should too. Masks are a start but we really need to take this seriously and a full hazmat suit is the only answer. The science® PROVES I am 100% protected and anyone who disagrees is a science denier.

Masks are ineffective. Wash your hands and do not touch your face.

Some people just don’t get it.

Love the people who wear a mask below their nose or on their chin!

Not sure what peer reviewed journal you're reading that claims masks are ineffective.



Here is an excerpt from a very recent article in Nature:


"A preprint study posted in early August, found that weekly increases in per-capita mortality were four times lower in places where masks were the norm or recommended by the government, compared with other regions. Researchers looked at 200 countries, including Mongolia, which adopted mask use in January and, as of May, had recorded no deaths related to COVID-19. Another study looked at the effects of US state-government mandates for mask use in April and May. Researchers estimated that those reduced the growth of COVID-19 cases by up to 2 percentage points per day. They cautiously suggest that mandates might have averted as many as 450,000 cases, after controlling for other mitigation measures, such as physical distancing.

“You don’t have to do much math to say this is obviously a good idea,” says Jeremy Howard, a research scientist at the University of San Francisco in California, who is part of a team that reviewed the evidence for wearing face masks in a preprint article that has been widely circulated."

The study/article in this referenced passage is currently under peer review.

Here is the full Nature article: Face masks: what the data say

Viruses can also enter the body through the eyes. Pink eye is one such virus. However, no masks that I have seen cover the eyes, and many people who wear masks fail to even cover their noses. Wear whatever you wish to protect yourself, either physically or psychologically.

Perhaps these people cannot breathe with a mask. Please don’t police everyone who do not follow your lead.

Perhaps they should try different masks? I wore masks 8-12 hours a day while working in the OR. Some are much easier to wear than others.

The masks are useless as well as the shields. If you really believe the virus can’t get around either one then you are seriously naïve. Covid is not a death sentence! My recommendation to you is to just stay home.

First, did you ever stop and think that some people cannot wear masks and that a clear shield is the only way to comply with establishments that require a facial covering? People that have been victims of rape, assault and childhood molestation cannot stand anything which covers the face. Please don’t be so quick to judge!
Second, there has been absolutely no testing on all of the various masks that people wear including surgical masks, cotton masks, polyester, bandanas (and even underwear!) to say definitively that they work to prevent contracting COVID. The weave is too large to stop a 0.3mu virus molecule. Why do you think virologists gear up like astronauts?

OMG. Another mask post. “Yawn”

I feel much safer in a face shield than mask and would prefer others to wear them as well instead of masks but it's not my decision what people wear, it's theirs. If I sneeze, those particles go right to the inside of my shield and then down. If someone in a mask sneezes, those particles go right through that mask and out into the air. Also, people in shields aren't endlessly adjusting the face coverings like mask wearers are and then touching everything around them. Why do you think masks are better? Because the powers that be tell you that?? They tell us a lot of things, we need to make the best informed decisions for ourselves. This is an extreme example but if someone sprayed a can of Raid at your face which would you rather have on, a plastic face shield or a paper mask? For me, I'm sticking with my shield and I'll not say nasty things about those who continue to wear masks...or not.
God Bless Everyone.

Agree.....masks are ineffective when worn with the nose exposed, or around the chin. Worn properly, masks do block droplets and aerosols. Why else would our CDC and epidemiology experts, including Dr. Fauci, include masks in their guidelines to slow the spread of the virus?

Thank you for some levity during this time of crisis the world is experiencing.

Oh, and while you are at it, don't breathe.

Face shields
 

Could you please give a link that supports this. Thanks

People who use the term "useless" and "ineffective" with regards to masks and COVID are the ones who are either seriously naïve or worse. Reference peer reviewed articles that make such claims (with the citation) and we can have a discussion. Otherwise, it's an opinion and one that contradicts the guidance from medical experts around the world.

I get it that many people don't want to wear a mask but to make ridiculous statements that could potentially put others in jeopardy to justify one's decision is lame. Just say - I won't wear a mask, walk away and go about your business.

BTW: COVID is a death sentence for many people. Another erroneous and naïve statement to justify one's opinion.

Correct! I have a face shield that I wear riding in the golf cart to protect my complexion as much as possible from wind. Hubby likes windscreen rolled up. I wear a mask when I’m in stores or around people. :ho:

FACT: Countries that do not wear masks have the lowest mortality/ hospitalization rates in the world ( India, Pakistan, and Sweden for example! Also, Sweden never closed down anything but had a totally OPEN policy including all schools.

People not covering their nose makes me nuts. There’s a reason nostrils are swabbed for diagnosis!!!

In some ways these things are public IQ tests...

Yes, a hazmat should be mandatory. The Fed gov. ought to mandate that EVERYONE wear a hazmat suit with a closed oxygen system. Also, in order to be 100% sure of not becoming infected, you MUST have a decontamination system before reentering your home. Ultraviolet light and a sanitizer shower must be used. :ho:

My, mass hysteria has invaded. It appears that the percentage of infected with MH is way more dangerous than the .004% virus infection rate.
Well, if the world is ending as some on here are predicting, I see no reason for me to bother with the irritating mask when I am out and about. I now wear a shirt that says, Stay 6" away because I am infected. That way, I am protecting you. Thanks to all on here that have convinced me that I prefer to live my life normally, rather than cower in my "safe room" like some. Like some that find it necessary to depend on others to "protect" them. Good thing that everyone does not hide, or there would be no food, water, electricity or toilet paper.
I now carry a wadded up paper mask with me to wear if the establishment has a mask mandate posted. Thank you.

Face shields
 

Amen! How many wash their face mask after each time they wear them? How many throw their disposable away after one time wear? I wear a shield at work because we have deaf people who come in and they have to read lips. So, get a life people and quit complaining. There are many reasons for differences. Stay home if you don’t like what you see.

Virologists are working very closely with a virus. That is why they "gear up like astronauts". People, out and about living their lives are not that close to the virus if they are social distancing.

Not true. Droplets are blocked by face masks, especially if they are not a stretchy material. The following video demonstrates how a simple single layer of T Shirt material (which actually is a stretchy material) blocks droplets. A 100% cotton fabric actually does a better job of blocking droplets but the T shirt material seems to do the trick too. I've done this "experiment" using my own masks on my mirror at home and not one droplet is sprayed on the mirror. I won't wear a mask in public until the mask passes that test. I also will not wear a mask in public that I can blow out a flame.

Masks do block droplets. Let's not forget that the virus DOES NOT travel on its own. The virus is encased in droplets and aerosols.........

How a mask blocks droplets - YouTube

I agree with everything you said in your post but I have one question for you........

How do you get those two dots above the i? I don't know what that punctuation is called but I don't seem to have that on my keyboard. Thanks.

This is a very grim look at what Sweden went through attempting herd immunity. Looks like they did not come out on the good side........

‘It’s been so, so surreal.’ Critics of Sweden’s lax pandemic policies face fierce backlash | Science | AAAS