Which face shields are recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Choose a face shield that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin or a hooded face shield. This is based on the limited available data that suggest these types of face shields are better at preventing spray of respiratory droplets.

Is wearing a face shield as protective as wearing a mask?

There is no evidence that face shields, that are open by design, prevent the inhalation or exhalation of viruses. For the average member of the public, who is not exposed to splash or splatter events in the face, a shield is unhelpful. A cloth face covering, instead, is the best option for protection.

How can face shields be cleaned during COVID-19?

Immerse in or wipe with neutral detergent and warm water solution, use mechanical action to remove any visible soiling, then quickly rinse with clean water; rinse if needed.

How can I clean a face shield or googles properly?

See full answerWhen manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfection are unavailable, such as for single use disposable face shields, consider: While wearing gloves, carefully wipe the inside, followed by the outside of the face shield or goggles using a clean cloth saturated with neutral detergent solution or cleaner wipe. Carefully wipe the outside of the face shield or goggles using a wipe or clean cloth saturated with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant solution. Wipe the outside of face shield or goggles with clean water or alcohol to remove residue. Fully dry (air dry or use clean absorbent towels). Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.

Can face shields help in preventing the spread of COVID-19?

Face shields are not as effective at protecting you or the people around you from respiratory droplets. Face shields have large gaps below and alongside the face, where your respiratory droplets may escape and reach others around you and will not protect you from respiratory droplets from others.

Are cloth face coverings the same as personal protective equipment (PPE)?

No, cloth face coverings are not PPE. These face coverings are not respirators and are not appropriate substitutes for them in workplaces where respirators are recommended or required for respiratory protection.

How long does COVID-19 survive on fabric?

A study published in found that at room temperature, COVID-19 was detectable on fabric for up to two days, compared to seven days for plastic and metal. However, when it was exposed to high heat, the virus became inactive within five minutes.

How should goggles be cleaned to prevent coronavirus disease contagion?

See full answerAdhere to recommended manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfection. When manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfection are unavailable, such as for single use disposable face shields, consider: While wearing gloves, carefully wipe the inside, followed by the outside of the face shield or goggles using a clean cloth saturated with neutral detergent solution or cleaner wipe. Carefully wipe the outside of the face shield or goggles using a wipe or clean cloth saturated with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant solution. Wipe the outside of face shield or goggles with clean water or alcohol to remove residue. Fully dry (air dry or use clean absorbent towels). Remove gloves and perform hand washing.

Can reusable face masks be cleaned during COVID-19?

The CDC recommends reusable face masks be washed after each use and provides information on the cleaning of cloth face masks.

Does wearing a cloth mask over a medical one reduce exposure to COVID-19 more than wearing just one mask?

Based on experiments that measured the filtration efficiencies of various cloth masks and a medical procedure mask (6), it was estimated that the better fit achieved by combining these two mask types, specifically a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask, could reduce a wearer’s exposure by >90%.