Doctors: Face shields alone not enough

PETALING JAYA: There is a trend of wearing only a face shield without a face mask, but health experts have warned that this is not effective protection against Covid-19.

Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia adviser Datuk Dr Musa Nordin said the face shield was just a physical barrier and would not help protect individuals from the virus.

“It does not filter germs from entering our upper airways, which the surgical mask does, ” he said when contacted.

He added that when wearing a face mask, users must make sure it completely covers the nose and mouth, and fits snugly against the sides of the face without gaps.

“Plastic face shields should only be used as a supplement to fabric face coverings or surgical masks, but not in lieu of them, ” said Dr Musa.

Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar concurred that a face shield alone was not effective in preventing Covid-19 infection.

“The surgical mask alone is enough and far better, ” he said, adding that there was no study to suggest it would be an advantage to wear a face shield with a face mask.

“There is no study to show a significant advantage. Theoretically, maybe, ” he said.