Researchers at the University of East Anglia tested 13 face shields using a ‘cough machine’ to mimic a person seeing someone coughing or sneezing near them. The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Julii Brainard said in a press release that while some face shields provide some protection against droplets, they all fail to fully protect against them. “We found that large gaps around the sides, and sometimes the bottom or top, allow respiratory droplets from other people to reach the face and that means exposure to potential viruses,” Brainard said in a press release. “The shields that offered the most protection were closed on the forehead and extended well around the sides of the face and under the chin,” he said. Face shields have become popular with some people because they allow people to communicate and breathe more naturally than using a face mask, the researchers said. In addition, the study involved more than 600 people in Nigeria and Brazil to understand their experience with face shields. Many low- and middle-income countries often relied solely on face shields, as they were easier to obtain during global shortages of personal protective equipment. “It’s no surprise that people want proven protective products that are comfortable, stable on their head, easy to clean and don’t look weird,” Brainard said.
