As “normalcy” is slowly being restored, more activities and services are resuming ever since the Circuit Breaker has been lifted from 2 June 2020. It’s a tough period we’re all navigating through, and many may find it difficult to adjust. By default, wearing a face mask out is still an essential requirement to prevent further widespread of the virus which could possibly lead us back to square one.
Now if you’re unaware, face shields are also becoming a common form of protection for those who are looking to ramp up on safety — you may have seen it on your socials, with many using it in place of a face mask during the Circuit Breaker.
However, it was recently noted by the Ministry of Health that “with the reopening of our economy and society, face masks are still required to be used instead of solely using face shields”. Here’s a closer look at face shields then — when they’re appropriate, and where you can get them online.
WHAT ARE FACE SHIELDS?
Face shields are worn to cover, well, the entire face, leaving a gap between the actual shield and your face. When used in the event of a pandemic, these shields protect the eyes, nose and mouth from droplets that could potentially be infectious — decreasing the risk of auto-inoculation.
REPLACING YOUR FACE MASKS WITH FACE SHIELDS
Though it does seem like a more comfortable option to have a shield instead of a mask you have to breathe into, “the task force combating the COVID-19 outbreak has reviewed and decided that face shield masks are not as effective as masks in reducing the risk of virus transmission,” says Health Minister Gan Kim Yong to The Straits Times.
This is also because droplets could still be deposited by the wearer, which increases the likelihood of spreading the virus as compared to wearing a normal face mask.
However, there are certain exceptions to this. According to the Ministry of Health, permitted groups or settings that allow the use of face shields include:
— Children at the age of 12 and below who experience difficulty wearing and keeping face masks on over an extended period of time.
— Those with medical conditions which may result in breathing or other medical difficulties when a mask is worn for an extended period of time.
— Those who are speaking to a group in a classroom or lecture-style setting, where they remain at the spot from which they are speaking and are maintaining a safe distance from any other persons.
In summary, if you want to add another layer of protection, you can wear face shields but ensure that when doing so, you’re also wearing your face mask.
WHERE TO GET FACE SHIELDS?
Brands like Polaroid have also hopped onto the bandwagon with their ‘Stay Safe’ collection which also features a face shield with professional protection. The trusted label for polarised sunglasses features a polycarbonate PPE device that’s equipped with an adjustable rubber band for easy wearability.
Alternatively, you can also consider these other face shields:
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