Face Shields Do Not Provide Protection From Corona

Contrary to everyone’s impression, a study warned that plastic face shields allow nearly 100% of the airborne droplets released by coronavirus patients to escape through masks.

According to the Daily Mail, the British government has recommended wearing face shields in some jobs such as hairdressers, barbers, nail technicians and tattooists as a barrier between them and clients.

But the new study, conducted at the University of Florida Atlantic University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, casts doubt on the use of plastic shields, after a computer simulation revealed that nearly 100% of airborne droplets smaller than five micrometers – which were released when speaking and breathing – I ran across the eyebrow.

Half of the larger 50 μm droplets – emitted by coughing and sneezing – found their way into the air, posing a danger to others.

One micrometer equals one millionth of a meter.

Safety measures

The World Health Organization says that face shields can help prevent viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, but it has also stipulated other safety measures such as wearing a mask, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

Plastic shields do not completely cover the face, leaving room for droplets from the mouth and nose to escape.

Face masks are also worn by doctors, nurses and other hospital staff on the frontline of Covid-19, but with the addition of a suitable surgical face mask.

Makoto Tsubukura, leader of the study team conducted by the Riken Center in Japan, warned against wearing face masks.

He told the Guardian: “Judging from the simulation results, unfortunately, the effectiveness of the face shields in preventing drops from spreading from the mouth of an infected person is limited compared to normal masks.”

“This is especially true for small droplets less than 20 micrometers in size,” he added, adding that all much smaller droplets also leak out.

 

Source: Kuwaitofferings

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