According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the novel coronavirus is believed to spread among people in three ways: from close contact with people who have it, from respiratory droplets that become airborne when someone, who is infected, sneezes or coughs nearby, or from touching our mouths, noses or eyes after touching a surface that has the virus.
The CDC says that “infectious agents are introduced to the eye either directly (e.g., blood splashes, respiratory droplets generated during coughing or suctioning) or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers or other objects.”
And because it is now known that our mouths, noses and eyes are all a gateway for the virus to enter, many types of workers are wearing disposable eye protection to help protect against the spread of COVID-19. Eye protection is intended to act as a barrier to infectious materials entering the eye, to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
Since the initial outbreak certain products in the Personal Protective Equipment realm have taken center stage, especially N95 respirators and surgical face masks since they provide a barrier to respiratory droplets entering the mouth and nose. However, the CDC keeps reminding us that eye protection is equally important and should be used in conjunction with other PPE such as gloves, gowns and face masks.
What Type of Eye Protection Should be Worn?
There’s a wide variety of protective eyewear, and appropriate selection should be based on a number of factors, the most important of which is the nature and extent of the hazard. Eye protection must be comfortable and allow for sufficient peripheral vision and must be adjustable to ensure a secure fit. According to the CDC these are the most effective protective eyewear:
Googles: They provide the most reliable practical eye protection from splashes, sprays, and respiratory droplets. Newer styles of goggles may provide better indirect airflow properties to reduce fogging, as well as better peripheral vision and more size options for fitting goggles to different workers.
Face Shields: As opposed to goggles, a face shield can also provide protection to other facial areas. To provide better face and eye protection from splashes and sprays, a face shield should have crown and chin protection and wrap around the face to the point of the ear, which reduces the likelihood that a splash could go around the edge of the shield and reach the eyes.
We are Working Hard to Create a Safe Environment for Everyone
At We Shield we are currently sourcing and distributing the highest-quality PPE throughout the U.S. at a competitive price and time, we import our safety supplies via private cargo planes multiple times a week and have the experience, certifications, and connections to expedite the process and make it as affordable as possible to support the immediate safety goals of our clients.