To Face Shield or Not To Face Shield?

The question of whether to use face shield or not has been a subject of numerous debates both in the
private and public spheres. The Philippines is one or perhaps the only country requiring its citizen to
wear a face shield on top of the face mask. Before we go any further, let us first describe what a face
shield is.

Face shield is a film made from plastic or other transparent material which is designed to be worn like a
visor. Face shield is said to provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 especially when worn
on top a face mask while practicing social distancing.

It was in December 2020 when the Philippine government required its citizens to use face shields when
entering establishments or when in public spaces. However, Filipinos have been expressing varying
concerns regarding the use of face shield. People demanded face shields to be optional rather than
mandatory due to its potential to cause accidents, suffocation, and question of its efficacy. In addition,
despite the general population adhering to the face shield policy, only six (6) out of ten (10) Filipinos is
compliant in wearing face shield properly. Even more, people continuously questioned its efficacy due to
another surge of COVID-19 cases despite use of both face shields and face masks. By far, the highest
number of reported case in a day peaked at 15, 310 last April 2, 2021.

However, despite the public clamor for the optional use of face shields, the Department of Health
remained steadfast in requiring the public to use face shield because it reduces the COVID-19
transmission rate by up to 90% especially when used with face masks while practicing physical
distancing. DOH clarifies that relaxation of health protocols will only be possible once there is significant
decline in the number of cases and high vaccination rate.

World Health Organization (WHO) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not
recommended making the use of face shield policy. However, WHO and CDC both clarified that face
shields are designed to provide protection from splashes of biological fluids which is the reason why
health workers wear face shields and other personal protective equipment when treating patients.
Moreover, In a study in India, face shields were introduced to 50 health workers who counseled 118,428
people in May 2020. None of them were infected with COVID-19.

Face shields provide eye protection from chemical splashes. Since, COVID-19 is primarily transmitted
through respiratory droplets, face shield somewhat provides eye protection against those droplets.
However, CDC claimed that it cannot be used as a substitute to face masks. Further, Dr. Tony Leachon
added that face shields can be beneficial as an extra layer of protection.

In summary, there is no single method that can provide full protection against COVID-19. However,
several measures can be done to add another layer of protection including but not limited to using of
face shields on top of wearing face masks, following the minimum public health standards, and getting
vaccinated. At the end of the day, methods backed by science and with proven efficacy can be followed
to further prevent the spread of the virus.