The Department of Health in Victoria has made it mandatory for people to wear face coverings in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.  This is in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 virus.  These face coverings can take the form of a face mask that covers your nose and mouth or a face shield.

I am going to recommend that you consider wearing a face shield over a face mask and I will explain why.  The benefits of wearing a face shield over a face mask include, but are not limited too:

Providing a physical barrier between your face and your hand (so you are much less likely to touch your face, possibly transferring germs).

There is no impediment to your breathing.

There is no muffle to your speech with a face shield.

People can see you smile, through a face shield (which is much much friendlier).

Your eyes, nose, and mouth are protected from virus-infected water droplets (not just your mouth and nose with a mask).

Your glasses are less likely to fog-up with a face shield.

Our face shields are easy to clean and reuse.

Environmentally a reusable face shield versus disposable face masks, they win hands down.

Face masks need to be washed if they are cotton and reusable after every wear.  Which takes time to wash and dry.  While many of the face shields just need a spray clean and wipe and are ready to use again (much more efficient).

If you have had to wear a face mask for an extended period you understand that they are uncomfortable and can hurt your ears.  I found that after a period of time that I started to feel a bit claustrophobic.  So the option of wearing a face shield is brilliant, particularly if you are working in retail, hospitality, the therapy’s where it is important to be able to see facial expressions.

If you are working in the frontline then it is most likely that you will have to wear a face shield, face mask, and safety glasses.  As you are exposed to the possibility of pathogens daily.