For the past few months, there has been an ongoing debate about whether children should wear face masks for protection against COVID-19. Now, there is another debate, and it regards face shields.
So far, face shields have only been recommended for health care workers and employees directly in contact with people. Also, face shields are only recommended to be worn together with face masks. So, does the same apply to children, and if so, where can we even buy face shields for children?
Well, in the following paragraphs, we’ll take a closer look at the idea of face shields for children, whether they work and where you can buy them for your children. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Face Shield Function
The general function of a face shield is to provide an additional layer of protection, alongside a face mask. According to the CDC, face shields are not to be worn during day-to-day activities and they most certainly are not to be worn by the general public. Face shields are intended as additional protection for health care workers, first responders, doctors and nurses treating COVID-19 patients directly, and employees who are in direct contact with numerous clients daily.
Face shields are rather convenient because they feature a transparent visor and don’t obstruct one’s breathing while protecting against viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms. However, face shields alone cannot provide proper protection, because they still allow you to inhale the droplets in the environment. Face shields only provide a barrier between you and a direct sneeze or cough. That is why they need to be worn together with a face mask.
Personal Protective Equipment For Children
Face Masks
According to the CDC, children older than the age of 2 should wear a face mask when in public and around people they don’t live with. But, even so, proper protection isn’t guaranteed because face masks are not designed to fit a child’s small face. Parents can try to DIY face masks according to the size of their child’s face, to increase the protection value of the mask.
However, it is essential to mention that regular fitting masks can cause respiratory complications in children, and if the child expresses concerns and unwillingness to wear the mask, parents should immediately remove them, and dispose of in a proper manner.
So, in terms of masks, parents can surely try to DIY some smaller face masks, urge their children to wash their hands regularly, as well as to distance from other people in public.
Also, parents should wear masks as well, to not only protect themselves but also their children. This way parents can lower the transmission rate as well as the infection rate of children.
Also Read: Face Masks Vs. Face Shields: Which is Better? Can I Wear Them Alone?
Face Shields
When it comes to face shields and children, the CDC as well as the WHO have not issued and official statements. However, we can assume that face shields would provide the same protective function as they do with adults, combined with face masks, of course. Even though it is not officially recommended, face shields could be useful for children, in the following ways;
- Face shields could prevent children to touch their faces
- Face shields could enable easier breathing for children with breathing problems
- Face shields could increase the protective value of the masks children wear
- Face shields could be a motivation for children to wear protective equipment; for example, they can decorate their shields without lowering their protective value, etc.
- Face shields could make communication easier for children with special needs, learning disorder, or children who belong to the deaf population
- Face shields could be helpful for children younger than the age of 2 to 5 since they shouldn’t wear masks
- Face shields could overall be more comfortable for children than face masks
Nevertheless, as much as face shields can be useful for children, there are certainly some disadvantages to children wearing them as well. For example;
- Children might not want to wear face shields and masks together
- Face shields certainly don’t provide the same level of protection as masks; they still allow particles to reach the nose and the mouth of a child
- The CDC has not officially approved face shields for children
How To Encourage Your Child To Wear A Face Shield?
If you want your child to wear a face shield, you might be in for a hassle. Children generally don’t like to even wear masks, let alone face shields. Here are some tips on how you can introduce face shield to kids;
- Let your child spend some time with a face shield; let the child explore it and be genuinely interested in this new tool.
- Show your child what a face shield is by wearing one yourself; this way you can teach them how to put the shield on, or take it off as well.
- If your child is younger, try to introduce a sense of play; you can do the same using face masks as well. You can act as a ‘patient’ and let your child be a ‘doctor’, and we all know doctors wear masks and shields.
- Let your child decorate the shield however they want, as long as the decoration doesn’t interrupt their vision. This will make your child feel like they have a choice in what they want to wear.
- Make sure to expose your child to other children who wear masks and shields; this will make them more comfortable and willing to wear the shield or mask on their own.
Where Can I Buy Face Shields For Children?
If you’re looking to buy a face shield for your child, we recommend you check out some of our choices;
- Buy Jastore Kids Packable Visor Hat on Amazon – this is not a regular face shield, but it does feature a visor attached to a cotton hat. It has a unisex design and is suitable for children between the ages of 3 and 9. The visor hat covers the eye, nose, and mouth, which makes it perfect for outdoor wear as well as protection against bacteria, viruses, other microorganisms and harmful particles.
- Buy a decorated kids’ face shield from Zazzle – at Zazzle, you can choose from a variety of different decorated kids’ face shields, for both boys and girls. The shields feature interesting and playful decorations which will make it easier for your child to wear one in the first place. The prices of the shields are incredibly affordable, and your child will consider them as a toy rather than an annoying thing they have to wear.
- Buy a kids’ shield face mask on Etsy – if you’re having trouble making your kid wear a mask and a shield together, here’s a perfect solution. The shield face mask features a cotton mask with an attached visor to cover the eyes. This is an excellent product with a unique and playful design every kid will love.
Final Thoughts
Getting your child to wear protective equipment can be a lot of hard and frustrating work. Children can’t really understand the importance of protection in these testing times, so you have to approach them calmly. Luckily, face shields for children are very playful and beautifully decorated, so that your kid sees them as toys rather than protective equipment. We hope that this article was informative to you as a parent and that you’ll find our face shield recommendations useful.