When the Centers for Disease Control suggested everyone wear masks in public, hundreds of millions of Americans heeded the government's advice and decimated the nation's supply of masks. However, a growing number of infectious disease experts are beginning to suggest that protective face shields are more ideally suited to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.
In a recent article featured in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, experts with Duke University Medical Center explained that "Face shields provide better coverage of the face, as compared to masks…" This, in turn, can help limit the likelihood of self-contamination.
At Frank Lowe, we've recently begun manufacturing protective face shields designed to provide hospitals, front line workers, and individuals across all industries.
Whether you're looking for more comfortable, fog-proof, and splash-proof PPEs or looking for a solution to complement your existing face mask, Frank Lowe's face shields are designed to offer you the protection you and your employees need. Let's take a closer look at our new face shields and some of the benefits they offer over face masks.
Face Shields Are Extremely Comfortable and Durable
If you've ever worn a face mask for an extended period of time, you'll agree it's already uncomfortable enough. And when you combine the already uncomfortable nature of face masks with potential high temperatures, you'll begin to question whether it's feasible to expect workers to wear face masks 8+ hours a day. While medical professionals may do it without quarrel, it's much easier for those outside of the medical industry to simply remove their face masks and not wear anything.
On the other hand, Frank Lowe's face shields are inherently more comfortable. The unique wrap-around design promotes full peripheral vision and will comfortably fit over glasses or safety goggles. You can even select face shields with or without an anti-fog visor to thwart precipitation.
In fact, Frank Lowe's face shields are uniquely engineered for long periods of use. The face shield is vented to increase airflow without placing any pressure on the temples. Each shield includes a skin-friendly foam that comfortably rests on the forehead and offers ample flexibility.
Face Shields Do Not Hinder Verbal or Non-Verbal Communication
Because face masks are explicitly worn over the mouth and nose, they can make verbal and non-verbal communication more difficult. To remedy this inherent design problem, people are much more likely to simply pull the mask down to simplify communication.
For example, if an employee in the retail industry wears the face mask, retail shoppers may not be able to hear the employee's answer to a question. At the same time, customer service may be hampered because a customer is unable to see a friendly smile.
Frank Lowe's face shields are clear and designed to improve communication while remaining safe during these uncertain times. Verbal communication is unimpacted and non-verbal social cues can be communicated equally as well. Specifically, face shields serve as an excellent reminder to maintain social distancing, allows for the visibility of lip movements for speech perception, and facilitates clear visibility of facial expressions.
Face Sheilds Offer Splatter Protection for the Eyes
While face masks may be very effective at preventing the transmission of diseases through inhalation, they offer no protection for the eyes. And in the health care field, splatter from blood, saliva, and other liquids are very common forms of transmission, which is why face shields are commonly used across the medical industry.
For everyday use across all industries, face shields also make a lot of sense. The face shield can act as a physical barrier to particles that emanate when an individual breathes, sneezes, or coughs. Most importantly, face shields protect parts of the face that are left naked when using face masks by themselves.
Face Shields Prevent Facial Touching
One of the key methods of coronavirus transmission is from hands because they are used to touch every and anything. Far too often, an individual will use their hands to scratch their nose, rub their eye, or touch their lip without thinking. And with this hand-to-face touching, the coronavirus can be transmitted.
Unfortunately, facial masks do nothing to prevent hand-to-face touching. On the other hand, face shields act as a protective barrier of the face. Because the barrier exists, it causes the individual to go through an extra step prior to touching their face. And this pause or extra barrier could be the difference between someone touching their face and reconsidering.
Face Shields Are Easy to Clean
Today, there has been and continues to be a massive shortage of all types of face masks. So much so, the CDC has provided instructions for individuals to create their own masks. However, the instructions around cleaning cloth and fiber masks has been less than transparent.
Simultaneously, there is mass confusion around whether you can or shouldn't wear surgical masks or cloth masks more than one time. Fortunately, Frank Lowe's face shields make it simple with straightforward and hassle-free cleaning. Your employees can easily use a disinfectant to wipe the protective shield down and reuse it.
Contact Frank Lowe for Protective Face Shields Made in the U.S.A.
As the United States begins to reopen and make its way back to work, we must all adjust to the new normal — whatever it may be. Most likely, personal protective equipment will be a part of normal business operations. And many infectious disease experts are suggesting the use of face shields offer more viral transmission protection than face masks. Fortunately, Frank Lowe's new face shields confidently check all of the boxes.
Contact Frank Lowe today to order your comfortable, American-made protective face shields.