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Can I Use a Face Shield Instead of a Mask?

Health officials don’t recommend the clear plastic barriers as a substitute for masks because of the lack of research. (Reuters)
Health officials don’t recommend the clear plastic barriers as a substitute for masks because of the lack of research. (Reuters)
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Can I Use a Face Shield Instead of a Mask?

Health officials don’t recommend the clear plastic barriers as a substitute for masks because of the lack of research. (Reuters)
Health officials don’t recommend the clear plastic barriers as a substitute for masks because of the lack of research. (Reuters)

Can I use a face shield instead of a mask?

No. Health officials don’t recommend the clear plastic barriers as a substitute for masks because of the lack of research on whether they keep an infected person from spreading viral droplets to others.

However, those who want extra protection may want to wear a face shield in addition to a mask.

Face shields have the added benefit of protecting your eyes and discouraging you from touching your face by acting as a physical barrier, says Christopher Sulmonte, project administrator of the biocontainment unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, according to The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, the available research so far indicates that the best face shields for preventing viral spread are hooded or wrap around the sides and bottom of the face, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s because those shields leave less space for droplets from sneezing, coughing and talking to escape.

If you do wear a reusable face shield in addition to a mask, the CDC notes the importance of cleaning it after each use. The agency also says you should wash your hands before and after taking it off, and avoid touching your face while removing it.

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Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%

Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%
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Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%

Saudi Reef Launches Project to Boost Coffee Tree Productivity by 30%

The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef), in collaboration with the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah), has launched an innovative project to enhance the production of coffee seedlings using tissue culture technology.

The project aims to increase the productivity of coffee trees by 30% and to plant some 50,000 seedlings by the end of 2025, SPA reported.

Saudi Reef Spokesperson Majid Al-Buraikan said the coffee tree tissue culture project has achieved several tangible results. These include the re-evaluation of 82 previously selected genetic patterns, which were consolidated into 12 genetic groups based on morphological similarities. The production of seedlings from cuttings of selected genetic types has also begun, with 1,000 cuttings planted to produce 1,000 traceable seedlings.

Al-Buraikan noted that disease-resistant and drought-tolerant varieties have been developed. Fourteen knowledge products have also been prepared, focusing on advanced techniques and good agricultural practices to improve coffee farms and enhance their productivity.

As part of the project, the technical review of the coffee cultivation guide has been completed, and a book on coffee resources has been prepared as a primary reference for coffee production and post-harvest operations management in the Kingdom.

Four study tours—both domestic and international—were also conducted, with over 109 farmers participating. These visits included experimental fields, demonstration farms, and cooperatives, allowing farmers to learn about modern practices and technologies and apply them to their farms.

Al-Buraikan pointed out that the initiative also included organizing workshops and scientific seminars to train and qualify farmers and stakeholders, covering more than 200 farmers, as well as participating in numerous international conferences, forums, and exhibitions related to the coffee sector to exchange expertise and stay up to date on industry developments.