Face shield visor on public transport

[phoenixrosehere]

Can you wear a face shield visor on public transport instead of a mask?

I’ve not seen anyone do it as of yet nor seen any on public transport as I’ve seen buses pass by, but it is a better option for me to wear one than to wear a face mask (issues with motion sickness). Is it acceptable or does it have to be a mask?

Follow-up to OP's question, would a visor be acceptable for going into shops, nursery pick-up etc? (I expect the guidelines on where to wear a mask will extend for autumn.) I have a 2yo who is frightened of masks, I was thinking it would be nicer to wear while with him so he can see us, and see if he can wear a junior-size visor because obviously he can't wear a mask.

I would hope so MRex.I work in retail (currently furloughed) and that is what the company has provided employees to wear instead of face masks.

We have face masks and shields available to us at work. I find a shield much more comfortable and cooler.

I felt myself about to sneeze the other day (I was going to remove shield and sneeze into a tissue and then antibac) but couldn't get it off in time. I could see the droplets on the inside of my shield - I never realised how many were dispersed, so they must offer others some protection.

I would much prefer a visor to a mask, especially for my 25yr old who has SN and autism. They’re much more comfortable and I think people would be less likely to fiddle with them. On the other hand they might be more tempted to touch their face. This is quite interesting.

medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-shields-masks-ward-coronavirus.html

No because visors only protect your eyes from contamination but there is no protection to others, from you coughing and sneezing. A face visor doesn't contain the latter.

I think I might just get a face visor and bring a mask and a light scarf just in case it isn’t. I can see the pros and cons of both, but I think the visor has more advantages since it is easier for me to breathe and and I won’t have to adjust it like a face mask or wear it improperly. Plus, if I do sneeze or what not, it will hit the shield, not go through my nose which I struggle to cover under the regular masks. I hope if they don’t accept the visor, they’ll accept a light scarf because I’m finding it easier with that than the regular mask.

@RHRA

How so unless you’re lifting the visor? The face visor goes past your chin. If I sneeze, the particles are going to hit the visor because my head naturally tips downward to contain it so the particles would go back at me not outward unless I lift it.

This diagram shows how the unseen droplets from coughs/ sneezes hang in the air before falling to the floor, which can take up to 60 mins before reaching the floor. Face masks over the nose & mouth go a long way to containing virus aerosols & droplets.
I suspect there may be public transport leeway for those with special needs but am not 100% on that. There certainly is for children with developmental disorders in most hospitals.

@RHRA

If you have your nose and mouth cover...

I cannot have both covered with motion sickness, it makes it worse. I can either wear a face mask but wear it improperly or wear a face visor with my hand sanitiser and tissues on hand or tie a light scarf over my face where it isn’t tightly around my nose and mouth and use that. I could go to my gp and ask for an exemption so I don’t have to wear one at all, but I rather not deal with the dirty looks once I start taking the bus regularly after I’m off furlough.

A visor would need to be used in conjunction with a mask to catch as many droplets as possible. The visor along isn't enough.

No , visors protected the wearer only from direct coughs from others. You need to wear a mask. “My mask protects you , your mask protects me.”

Or wear a scarf if you don’t have a mask.

Or a full face crash helmet

The buses in Newcastle (stagecoach) have a poster on buses stating that they have cards available for those people who are unable to wear masks stating this and there is a link to to website to get them l.
Also I have seen a number of passengers using scarfs instead of masks.
See what advice is on your local bus co. Website and perhaps ask there is the shield is acceptable

I would have thought it would be fine - the rule is face coverings, not masks - and they cover your face.

Surely we can invent a better way of doing this 🧐?

TFL have said there is medical exemptions to wearing masks such as asthma, disabilities etc

I've got a face shield and I have worn masks, I struggled with the masks as I'm asthmatic and I found my peak flow dropped after wearing it for 40 minutes. I bought a face shield so I could have some protection and I've had funny looks when I've gone out to the shops but I don't care what others think when I'm wearing it. I can use the masks for short bursts but my commute is 90 minutes each way so it's not realistic for me to wear one both ways. I'm praying the government keep saying if you can work from home, work from home so I can avoid the commute!

Found TFL guidance plus exemption card

tfl.gov.uk/campaign/face-coverings#on-this-page-3

In Portugal we were originally allowed to wear just visors. Now we have to wear a mask as well if we wear the visor. It’s fair enough. It provides no protection to be honest apart from the eyes!

Sorry another useful link on Asthma UK website (really great resource!) they've linked lots of exemption cards on their page and have good guidance on face coverings as well

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/what-should-people-with-asthma-do-now/

Seems to be an acceptable alternative in Scotland if worn correctly, so might be worth checking the government guidelines if you're elsewhere.