Скачать или смотреть Face Shield vs. Face Masks: What's the Best COVID-19 Protection for Kids?

Face shields alone can’t protect against COVID-19, but when worn together with a face mask, they provide an added layer of protection. Here’s what parents need to know to keep their children safe.



For the past few months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of cloth face masks to control the spread of COVID-19.

The masks should be worn in public and near people outside of your household, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

But cloth face coverings have some downsides: They’re hot and uncomfortable, they don’t cover the eyes, and most children don't like wearing them. That’s why some parents are turning to face shields instead. These plastic barriers cover the entire face (including the eyes) with a transparent barrier.

Despite their popularity among parents, however, the CDC doesn’t recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks. “At this time, it is not known what level of protection a face shield provides to people nearby from the spray of respiratory droplets from the wearer,” according to the organization. “There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control.”

Instead, experts recommend that parents use face shields only along with masks for extra protection against COVID-19.