Health Officials say wearing plastic face shield alone is ineffectual
On October 19, 2020, Oregon Health Authority released a revision of the statewide mask, face covering and face shield guidance.
Masks, face coverings or face shields are currently required statewide for:
• All private and public workplaces — for example banks, classrooms, construction sites, offices and meeting rooms — unless someone is alone in an office or in a private workspace.
• Indoor public spaces — for example grocery stores, pharmacies, public transit, personal services providers, restaurants, bars and retail stores.
• Public and private colleges and universities, and private career schools.
• Indoor and outdoor markets and street fairs.
• Outdoor public spaces when physical distancing of at least six feet is not possible.
People with a disability or medical condition may request accommodation from a business or public space if they cannot wear a mask.
OHA does not recommend wearing a plastic face shield alone. While face shields can be very good at blocking droplets, they are not as good at stopping aerosols that can go around the shield. OHA recommends face shields only be used on a limited basis, for example when talking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing and needs to read lips to communicate.
Of note, a cubicle wall should extend to the ceiling and there should be barrier that can be closed and opened for access in order for a workspace to be still considered private and individual.