A face shield is a piece of rigid, transparent plastic attached to a headband. The plastic piece covers the face, extending below the chin. You might have seen clear face shields on some health care providers, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dentists and dental hygienists sometimes wear them when working close to patients’ mouths. Doctors, nurses, and technologists might use face shields, together with face masks, when performing procedures that could propel blood or other substances into the air.
During this covid-19 pandemic, people also wear face shields over masks or N95 respirators for additional protection.
It is important to protect other people from getting COVID-19. Even if you are fully vaccinated and have a booster, wearing a mask provides an extra layer of protection, especially when you are around a person who may be at greater risk of COVID-19. Likewise, people who are at greater risk should strongly consider wearing a mask to help protect themselves.
Although being fully vaccinated and/or boosted reduces your chance of catching or spreading the coronavirus, it does not eliminate it entirely. If you are infected with the coronavirus and do not know it, a mask keeps your respiratory droplets and particles from infecting others.
Check the mask recommendations in your area to help decide whether you need to mask.