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Face shield not a substitute for face mask —expert


 

People should not use face shields as substitutes for face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an expert from the University of the Philippines Manila - National Institutes of Health (UPM-NIH) said on Tuesday.

Interviewed at Dobol B sa News TV on Tuesday, Dr. Edsel Salvaña, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the UPM-NIH, said face shields are better worn with face masks.

"Marami rin akong nakikita kasi ngayon, naka-face shield lang sila, walang mask. Hindi po maganda 'yon, puwede po kayong mag-face shield pero sabayan niyo po ng mask," Salvaña said.

"Hindi po replacement ang face shield sa mask. Puwede pong gamitin ang face shield on top of the mask," he added.

Salvaña said face shields reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by about 80% but are not as effective as masks.

Salvaña noted the advice of experts that employees who are required to have direct contact with people should wear both face shields and face masks, and that passengers should use both of them when using public transportation.

In the case of a face mask with a valve, Salvaña said there is a possibility that the breath of a person could still get out without being filtered. Thus, face masks with valves are discouraged in facilities with high COVID-19 risks. —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News

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