Across Canada, stay-at-home orders are ending. New COVID-19 vaccines offer some hope of decreasing infection rates and saving lives. Meanwhile, masking up remains essential for couples hosting their 2022 and 2023 weddings. Some people are turning to clear plastic face shields as cloth mask alternatives. But are they effective? This guide examines these devices and can help you decide on the best safety measures for your event.
The Lowdown on Face Shields
Clear face shields have been around for a while. You may have seen some workers wear them with protective gear. But they became more popular as public health orders included wearing cloth masks. Yet some consumers donned plastic shields instead.
Most face shields feature a plastic polymer sheet attached to a foam-lined headband. Many retailers don’t bill them as cloth mask alternatives. They’re usually called “safety face shields” and claim to offer protection. Yet they don’t specify what they protect against.
Those who choose plastic face shields over cloth masks cite comfort as the major reason. Harvard Health explains that people not used to cloth masks may experience discomfort. Since they’re not accustomed to the cloth, they may feel that it’s hard to breathe. And those wearing eyeglasses with cloth masks may notice their lenses fogging up.
Face Shields Vs. Cloth Masks
By now, you’re wondering if face shields work. Two recent studies shed more light on their effectiveness. Healthline mentions a July 2020 study observing aerosol droplets from face shield wearers. The shields block the droplets’ initial forward motion, but they didn’t stop aerosols from exiting around the sides. When these particles went airborne, they spread throughout the environment.
Journalist Richard Gray mentions a similar experiment in an August 2020 BBC piece. Again, most droplets traveled around face shields’ sides and became airborne. This isn’t surprising, given that these plastic shields don’t completely cover the face. In another Swiss study, several people wearing only face shields tested positive for COVID-19. None of the participants wearing cloth masks tested positive.
Face Shields as Added Protection
To be clear, face shields aren’t completely useless. But you still need to wear a mask. Dr. Joy Henningsen of the University of Alabama’s Birmingham School of Medicine explains how this works. “Face coverings, regular hand washing, physical distancing, and staying home as much as possible are very good tools,” she said. “Add a face shield…and you go from ‘good’ to ‘great.’”
Tips for Better Mask Wearing
The verdict is in: Face shields offer extra protection, but they’re not the first line of defense. Fabric face coverings offer protection that face shields alone do not. The good news is that they don’t reduce oxygen or carbon dioxide levels in your blood. But you may experience mild claustrophobia – your brain tricks you into thinking that you can’t breathe. Some wearers also contend with mild skin irritation from the fabric or straps. Fortunately, some useful advice from Harvard Health may help:
- Take slower and deeper breaths while wearing your mask.
- Practice wearing your mask. Slowly increase the length of time you have it on.
- Keep your mask clean. Wash it frequently to avoid dirt and oil buildup.
- Moisturize your skin regularly. Try washing blemish-prone areas with an over-the-counter acne wash.
- Select masks that tie behind the head to avoid pressure on your ears.
If your glasses fog up with your mask on, try a tip from American neurosurgeon Daniel Heiferman. Place an adhesive bandage on your mask, over the bridge of your nose, to secure it to your face.
Keeping Your Wedding Guests Healthy
Planning a 2021 wedding involves extra measures to keep your guests healthy. Encourage wearing masks and be sure to provide them at your venue. And while you’re at it, pass along this useful info about face shields. Your guests may thank you.
