What's a Face Shield Really For?

What are face shields for now that the pandemic has been more the a year with us? Face masks and social distancing are enough health protocols to keep us all safe--and spare us the added expense of buying face shields every now and then because they don't last long. That's what some people say today. Face shields are not relevant anymore health-wise. 

. Photo above by Lawrence Aritao on Unsplash.

And sure enough, I see lots of people outside either without face shields or wearing them over their heads. Indeed, if you'd wear it just to protect the top of your head, you better not. Because the Covid virus does not intend to enter through your head top. The virus enters through your nose, mouth, or eyes. And the shield is meant to prevent an optic entry. See?

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Droplets

Remember, Covid is transferred through microscopic droplets (I call them vapors) which are emitted not just through sneezing or coughing but through ordinary conversation. We release infinitesimal, minuscule, droplets of saliva even if we just whisper, what more talk or shout. This is why I hate it when people laugh aloud or shout in closed, public places. 

At least, if your face is shielded and masked (double masks), there's lesser chance of this floating droplets from finding your eyes and enter them, says experts. Yeah, they float around for some 15 minutes or so, and float to as far as 5 meters, if I remember right. They stay around longer in mid air in closed spaces or those fully air-con. Your nose and mouth may be protected with a face masks but your naked eyes are sitting ducks without shields.

And imagine if you're in a crowded public jeep. Yup, they very seldom practice social distancing in there. And people in public jeeps, seated close to each other, have their face shields protecting the top of their heads (their eyes fully exposed), and sometimes their face masks are down protecting their chin. Again, the virus has no plan of entering through your chin. Where on earth did they get the idea?

Now, on top of that, public jeep passengers often talk aloud on their phones or laugh out loud to each other as they converse all they want--masks, shields and all totally out of place. And if you don't have a shield on and do not wear your mask properly, you're a candidate to tomorrow's new cases along with the other passengers--especially if you haven't been vaccinated.

And yeah, talking of vaccination--the jab is good, but we still need to wear masks and shields properly. Why? Because vaccines cannot prevent viral transfer. You may be vac-protected but you never know if you're a carrier. At least, releasing the virus by sneezing or coughing or even plain talking can be blocked by your double masks and shield.

Zero Touch

With face shields, there's less tendency for people to touch their faces. I've proven this personally. When you're out, all types of itchiness occur on your face for some reason. I don't know why. And especially itchiness in your nose, of all places. If you're wearing a shield, you're prevented from touching and reminded how it's a definite no-no. 

Never touch your face when you're outside. Why? Your fingers may be carriers, and if you touch your face (especially rub your nose or eyes) you help the virus more easily get through you. I see people mindlessly touching their faces or scratching their cheeks, foreheads or rubbing their eyes. If we want the number of cases to go rapidly down we have to take these things seriously. There should be zero touch. Wear your masks and shields properly. 

Then we all live healthier and really well ever after. 

Shield Refresher

Now and then I let my face shield "refresh" and "rejuvenate," so to say. I take them off in a safe place (uncrowded and air freely flows) and spray some alcohol on it inside and out. I also bring along tissue paper for wiping. Never use tissue paper you get from eateries or restaurants. They've been handled by other hands, and we don't know if those hands were Covid-free. 

I also bring along extra masks so I can replace the ones I wore in the morning. After lunch (if you're out the whole day) you should be wearing fresh masks and shield. And yup, always make it double masks. Don't say that you find it hard to breathe with two masks because once Covid hits you, it'll be far worse. So, what do you prefer?

Disposal

When you get home, spray alcohol on your hands and arms first, and then on your used masks (in and out), including the strings, before you dispose of them in the trash. And spray lavishly on your shield, too (in and out) before you hang it to dry. Spray on the soles of your shoes, too. 

Rest for 15 minutes and then take a bath.

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