Dr. Ali Hassoun, an infectious disease specialist at Huntsville Hospital, weighs the pros and cons of wearing a face shields to protect yourself from coronavirus.
The house.
New at six -- the infectious disease specialist at huntsville hospital said you don't need a full-face shield to stay safe from the coronavirus.
Earlier this week -- the country's top health advisor suggested shields or goggles would protect your eyes from dangerous germs. at the same time - doctor anthony fauci also warned shields and goggles are not universally recommended.
Huntsville's top infectious disease expert explained to waay 31's max cohan the pros and cons.
"in the ideal world we would have said possibly adding all that would be great, but if we want to be more on the practical side and we want to emphasize what is the most important, i would really go for physical distancing and masking."
Dr. ali hassoun always speaks his mind when it comes to staying safe from covid-19.
Huntsville hospital's infectious disease expert told me face shields and eye coverings won't do much, without the current distancing and masking guidelines.
"you're gonna need the face mask, which is much more important."
Though face shields are used at huntsville hospital, hassoun says it's only when people are in close contact with positive or suspected cases.
If you still want to take the extra precaution, hassoun says any barrier from droplets -- like glasses or goggles -- should protect the eyes' mucous membrane.
"in the huntsville area face shields are readily available at numerous medical supplies stores.
Several locations told me today that though they have the items in stock, they aren't currently very popular and most people are just sticking with masks."
"yeah, anything that helps."
H-vac worker thomas tipton says while he isn't currently wearing face shields and eye coverings -- he would consider taking the extra precautions under the right circumstances.
"i already have a face shield for the work i do so it's not like i have to buy one.
I've wore one, just not for a pandemic."
Reporting in huntsville, max cohan, waay 31 news.
Doctor hassoun says he believes we'll likely be wearing face coverings for at least the next six months -- something he says might result in an overall reduction in upper respiratory infections.
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