EDITORIAL - Goodbye, face shield

On top of the face mask, the face shield aggravates difficulty in breathing and can be exceptionally uncomfortable in a poorly ventilated area on a hot day. Accusations of overpricing and sweetheart deals brokered by administration cronies intensified public distaste for the face shield.

Last Monday, amid falling COVID-19 cases, President Duterte announced his approval of a recommendation to make the use of face shields voluntary in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3 including Metro Manila, except in places such as hospitals. Yesterday, transport officials also lifted the face shield requirement in public utility vehicles.

Health experts went along with the recommendation, but continued to encourage the voluntary use of face shields as added protection against COVID-19, especially in the so-called three Cs: closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places, and close-contact settings.

While acknowledging the discomfort in wearing face shields, the health experts maintain that they provide a measure of protection for the eyes, which are entry points for viruses and other pathogens. The experts say the added protection is important especially as complacency spreads and people stop using even masks in public places such as open markets.

The shields can stop biological droplets such as those expelled in a sneeze from hitting the eyes, according to health experts, who point out that healthcare workers in COVID wards use medical goggles to protect their eyes.

President Duterte himself is warning the public against complacency, amid reports of a new wave of COVID infections particularly in western Europe that is forcing a return to lockdowns. Scenes in Metro Manila since the region was eased to Alert Level 2 have shown people ignoring physical distancing, with many no longer wearing masks.

In such environments, health experts say a face shield on top of a mask can reduce the risk of catching COVID. Even with the lifting of the face shield requirement, experts warn that under certain settings, you discard it at your own risk.