OCTA: More data needed to assess efficacy of face shields

Experts monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country have yet to make an assessment on whether wearing a face shield has been effective in curbing infections.

OCTA Research fellow Ranjit Rye said on Friday they have had “very healthy” discussions on the matter.

“It’s a continuing discussion in OCTA Research. Some of our fellows have also raised issues with the efficacy and practicality of using face shields,” Rye said in a webinar organized by the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

“More work and data is needed to assess this particular intervention, this particular PPE (personal protective equipment) so we haven’t decided on a position (yet).”

Dr. Michael Tee, also an OCTA Research fellow, recognized that face shields could offer protection from the coronavirus even as he acknowledged the concern about accumulation of plastic waste.

Rye and Tee’s comments come after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III rejected the suggestion of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to end the policy requiring the wearing of face shields in public areas.

“There are many scientific studies showing that face shields in combination with face masks and more than one meter social distance provide a greater than 95% protection,” Duque said earlier this week.

The inter-agency COVID-19 task force made the use of face shields mandatory last December. —LBG, GMA News