A face shield is a clear plastic protective covering for the face which many people wore, in addition to the mask, for added protection against coronavirus. The California Department of Public Health produced a handout containing a list of frequently asked questions about face shields. Here is some more information:
A face shield is a transparent barrier that covers the face and is typically open at the sides and bottom..[It is] primarily used by health care workers to protect their face (eyes, nose, and mouth) from splashes and sprays of body fluids. Face shields are not commonly used alone, but are often worn with other protective equipment, such as respirators or surgical masks, to protect the wearer from Covid-19. Examples include a nurse caring for a hospitalized Covid-19 patient or a health professional collecting a nasal sample from a person being tested for Covid-19.
Face shields are not to be worn in place of masks. The illustration below shows the correct way to wear a face shield with a mask:
Here is a quick and easy YouTube tutorial on how to make your own face shield that will protect you from someone who has suspected Covid-19:
Social Media Trends as of September 4, 2022
Facebook #faceshield: 194,000 people are posting about this
Instagram #faceshield: 471,958 posts
TikTok #faceshield: 132.7 million views
YouTube #faceshield: 4,100 videos and 3,100 channels
Google Trends: faceshield isn’t a new search term but it reached its peak in popularity during the week of April 5, 2020 as people looked for ways to make one or find out where to buy one to increase their protection from Covid-19.
Sources:
“Faceshield FAQ.” California Department of Health. November 2020. URL: https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/resourcesGeneral/faceshield_handout.pdf.
“Person using face shield mask.” Freepik. URL: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/collection-people-using-face-shield-mask_8381151.htm#query=face%20shield&position=11&from_view=keyword.
CreativityWindow channel. “DIY PPE: Quick and Easy Face Shield.” YouTube. April 4, 2020. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9FSDSc76q4.