Face masks remain at the center of health advice to protect yourself and others from the corona virus. Some people are looking at plastic face shields as an alternative to masks.

Experts say they can protect a person... However, it's not clear exactly how well they protect a person compared to face masks.

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Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of face masks as one of its main recommendations to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes coronavirus - some people have turned to plastic shields to protect themselves from the virus.

Plastic shields solve some of the problems that people may have when wearing a mask, because the mask is hot and restricts breathing.

It remains to be seen if they are as effective as face masks?

Can face shields prevent the spread of corona?

According to Dr. Michael B... Edmond MPH, MPA, MBA, chief quality officer and associate dean of health care medicine at the University of Iowa and clinical professor of infectious diseases at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, plastic face shields can reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

He said: It seems that the main mechanism of covid transmission is through droplets.. He added: Face shields are great for preventing droplets from entering the nose, mouth and eyes, the parts of the body where the virus enters to cause infection.

However, "we still have no data on whether a face shield alone can help prevent the spread of the coronavirus from an infected person," noted Dr. Joy Henningsen, VAMC clinical assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. He said: "But they may also protect the infected person along with using a mask."

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How effective are plastic shields?

While plastic face shields can protect people from catching the virus, we asked our experts how effective they are compared to face masks.

At this point, we don't know, Edmond said... No studies have been published comparing the two.. However, he pointed to a yet-to-be-published study showing that face shields can provide better protection than face masks against a sick person coughing up to 24 inches away.

Nevertheless, Henningsen pointed to another study that was conducted in the wake of the corona outbreak in Switzerland....In this study, none of the people who used masks tested positive for the virus...but several people who used shields tested positive.

His conclusion?.. Face shields are a good complement to face masks, but should not be used instead of them.

Henningsen said: "There is no such thing as too many weapons against the coronavirus." "The more protection, the better." He added: Covering the face, washing hands regularly, keeping physical distance from other people and staying at home as much as possible are very good tools... He added: Add face protection to all the necessary methods and go from "good" to "excellent".

Maximum efficiency of face shield

Henningsen and Edmond recommend these three things for more use of face shield:

1.... Always use a face shield with a mask

Hennington explained that wearing a face shield is very beneficial when used with a mask.

He said: "A cloth mask protects others.... The altruism you show by wearing it is kindness to others, and this kindness is returned to you when someone wears a mask for you.... When both parties wear a mask, real magic happens.... My mask protects you, your mask protects me.. Adding a face shield is new and protects the person who uses it.

2.... Make sure your face shield fits properly on your face

The shield should come to the chin or lower, Edmond said. The shield should come from about the corner to the ears, and "there should be no gap between the forehead and the front of the shield unless it's over the gap in the cover...otherwise droplets can go through the gap and land on your face." .... "

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3.... After each use, clean and disinfect your face shield

The reliable CDC source recommends that you refer to the manufacturer's instructions if available....If there are no instructions, this source recommends washing the shield with a neutral detergent and warm water and then rinsing it to remove any visible dust and dirt....Then disinfect the shield with a preferably chlorine-based disinfectant...Alcohol will break down plastics and adhesives over time....In addition, it may Remove any anti-radiation or anti-fog properties of the Shield.... then rinse again with clean water to remove any residue.... Use a hair dryer or a clean paper towel to remove the remaining moisture.

Are plastic shields a better alternative to fabric masks for certain people?

At first glance, it may seem like a face shield is a good option for some people, such as people who need to lip read to communicate or people who have breathing problems.

Unfortunately, Henningsen said, face shields are only a supplement to face masks. Shields should not be used in place of masks, nor should people believe that the two provide the same level of protection.

He said: "It will be great when high-quality, transparent masks are readily available to us, allowing us to convey a range of human emotions and helping those who use lip-reading to communicate.