Many retailers have begun selling their own cloth face masks with all different designs and such，but should we be strapping a windshield to our foreheads?
Shields are often composed of a curved plate of plastic that hovers over the face, held in place by multiple different means worn around the head. Face shields range in different styles and designs from tinted plastic covers to decked-out rhinestone-covered accessories, but do you need a face shield? and are they more effective than a mask? Today I’m going to explain exactly what these things are, and the different types as well as what the difference between wearing a mask and a face shield is.
We know the virus spreads primarily from person to person through respiratory droplets that are produced when we talk, sing, scream, and shout of, all the current information and research that has been done on covid19, we know that there is a large population of asymptomatic positive covid19 cases, but do not know a great understanding of exactly how infectious if at all this population is, researchers have also discovered that individuals who do become ill with covid19 are at their most contagious just before developing symptoms, therefore we wear a mask to protect not only ourselves but also each other. Hypothetically if I am infected with coronavirus, my mask will capture any large respiratory droplets I produce before they are expelled into the air, thereby preventing me from unknowingly infecting people around me, remember though this is not 100% and social distancing and staying home when you’re sick are very important. A face shield by the nature of its design would more likely allow these droplets to escape, it’s just a deflector.
How do face shields work? And can we replace face masks with face shields?
Face shields basically involve curved plastic that protects your eyes or your face from infected droplets, they are typically used by healthcare workers for certain procedures where splash or splatter of any kind is likely to occur, such as the dentist.
A face shield does a good job of protecting, against the really big stuff that you can see, but when it comes to the small sub, it’s just easy for that to go around. The face mask and the face shields can block large particles from getting into your eyes and mouth, face shields do not prevent the spread of covid 19 but can help reduce transmission simply acting as a deterrent from you touching your face with unwashed and potentially contaminated hands. Typically face shields are single use but you can sometimes clean them with plain soap and warm water and recycle them for future use. Should you get a face shield facials can be an additional layer of protection against covid19 along with wearing a face mask practicing safe social distancing and washing your hands regularly. Face shields do not replace face masks as they do not fit your face and effectively block respiratory droplets from the air around you, face shields should be worn in addition to a mask, not on their own, only if you cannot wear a mask for a multitude of reasons should the next best thing be a shield for the record.
The CDC does not recommend face shields for everyday activities, as they substitute for face coverings and as most U.S states are on mandatory face coverings in public. A face shield is not classified as a proper face-covering according to local state and health officials, most people opt for a face shield because they believe that they’ll be less of a burden or a bother than wearing a mask, news flash is actually the opposite, shields are bulkier and heavier than a mask, they’re certainly more uncomfortable than a mask. Trust me on this one and they don’t help the individual wearing the shield from spreading anything that they might have to someone else.
How to shop for the right face shield?
Most face shields are made with plastic though some materials can be more rigid than others, and some are more scratch-resistant shields that are more durable will last longer clarity is one of the most important aspects to look for, you want to be able to see through the shield clearly. Many online retailers have pivoted to making face shields in addition to the mask, you may also be able to find face shields in home improvement stores hardware, or medical supply stores, so short answer no face shields are a replacement for face coverings, just wearing a face shield isn’t going to be very protective with virus-infected particles flying around you, in an area they can easily creep in the large openings on the side or the bottom of the shield.
Safety precautions that you should take before while you’re dining and after restaurants
Are you starving for interaction after a season of quarantine? Many people are heading into reopened restaurants and bars, eager to sit down for a meal, they didn’t cook at a place other than home, as covid 19 cases soar in nearly half the U.S states and crowds at some restaurants are reflecting pre-pandemic levels you might be wondering is Covid on the menu, according to reports by the FDA coronavirus does not transmit through the consumption of food and drink, the way that other germs might again coronavirus is transmitted mainly due to respiratory droplets which means you can even get sick just by talking to somebody infected with Covid 19. So just how safe are you during that romantic waterfront dining? How safe it is to go out to restaurants? What are the risks and if you do decide to go adventure out to eat? I’m going to go over all the safety precautions that you should take before while you’re dining and after restaurants are clamoring to remain financially stable, as the Covid 19 pandemic progresses most states have ordered restaurants to suspend all in-dining activity and only offer their carryout menu, some states Alcoholic Beverage Commissions are even temporarily suspending alcohol licenses in an effort to enforce CDC’s social distancing protocols, some U.S states, however, are slowly allowing food establishments to resume in-service dining with covid19 safety restrictions implemented before you go before running off for your boozy brunch with all your friends.
Check your local state and community orders on dining out and ask yourself some of these important questions.
1. Are you or anyone in your party over the age of 65 or at risk for severe illness or still believe that covid19 is a conspiracy theory? The risk of getting covid19 increases with age certain medical conditions, and the lack of intelligence which we’re still waiting on the official report on .
2. Are you and everyone in your party all on the same page and follow the CDC’s covID 19 safety measures? Wearing a mask washing your hands and keeping six feet distance if your friend Karen is an anti-master perhaps she should sit this one out.
3. Assess the current outbreak level of coronavirus in your community. if your community is making headlines as a hot spot brunch can wait when you’re going out to eat. the CDC suggests that you call ahead not only for reservations, but to confirm that Covid 19 safety measures are being followed when calling the restaurant, ask if servers and staff wear face coverings and if seating follows social distancing requirements. restaurants and bars must follow State and local health orders but the use of CDC safety measures may vary between establishments because owners are allowed to make adjustments based on the community needs and their opening phase also ask if it is possible to arrange to call ahead seating or even pre-order your meal, so it’s ready for you when you arrive, doing this limits your time spent inside the restaurant while you’re there, so you finally sit down with your friends now what for starters no pun intended don’t go ordering an appetizer and ditch the communal bread bowl.
These things will only lead to Covid 19 breeding rounds:
1.wear a face covering at the restaurant at all times except when eating and drinking, this includes indoor and outdoor dining areas.
2.stay six feet or more away from others not living with you remember to follow the social distancing rules when entering exiting using hallways and hanging out in the waiting area.
3.don’t use self-service food and drink options avoid the soda machines salad bar buffets again any type of communal service is best to avoid sharing utensils buttons and touch screens.
4.leave the paper cash at home your grandmother might still be writing a check at the grocery store but it’s the 21st century pay it with a credit card or some type of smart phone contactless payment method.
5. bathrooms a recent study published in physics of fluids reports the dangers of using a communicable bathroom during covid19 pandemic public bathrooms typically don’t have toilet coverings and droplets raise three feet into the air from a single flush and inhaled by the unsuspecting user as a reminder covid 19 isn’t just spread through respiratory droplets it’s also spread by fecal-oral transmission， so what do you do if you need to use the bathroom? wear a mask of course and scope out the bathroom head of time to see how congested it is and it’s best to stick to a single-family-style restroom.
What are restaurants doing to protect their customers?
1.hand sanitizer stations have probably been in place at all entrances, some restaurants may screen you for covid symptoms and take your temperature with an infrared thermometer upon arrival.
2.restaurants are following state and local laws regarding reducing capacity and social distancing. restaurants are spacing their tables six feet apart and even moving their dining outdoors. infectious air particles can potentially move throughout a space if admitted through a diner’s mouth or nose, furthermore, there may be a risk associated with air conditioning and spreading viral particles through units.
3.napkins straws silverware and glassware should be given to you once you are seated, these items should no longer be stationed on an empty table that is not being utilized.
4.most restaurants use disposable menus.
5.condiments should be kept off the table you shouldn’t spot any salt and pepper shakers or ketchup bottles, ask your server for these items that you need.
6.any type of mints candies or toothpick stations on the hostess stands is now a thing of the past.
7.and lastly any type of leftover you might want to bring home should be filled by yourself when you leave, the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus or any germs is to properly and regularly wash your hands when you’re done with your meal and when you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and again wash for 20 seconds.