New York designer Joe Doucet has come out a face shield to protect against coronavirus that could be worn like a pair of googles. As face shields are becoming an essential protective tool in this time of pandemic, the designer has proposed a sleek alternative that feels, ‘less alien and intrusive on the wearer than a typical face shield would.’
Doucet has developed the face shield in response to the question: how do we encourage mass adoption of an unwanted necessity?
Covid-19 is understandably going to have a longterm effect on how we re-engage with daily activities and the wider world. Until a vaccination is confirmed to be effective and rolled out through a global, mass immunization program, we all will have to integrate forms of social distancing and PPE into our daily routines. Studies have shown that face shields or visors are much more effective than surgical style face masks, but in their current, basic format they are uncomfortable and awkward.
To try and create a face shield that people would actually want to wear rather than simply put up with, Joe Doucet has designed a shield with integrated sunglass lenses and arms that make them more practical and feel less alien and intrusive on the wearer than a typical face shield would. It is hoped that improving the basic face shield design will encourage far greater uptake of its usage and help everyone adjust to the “new normal” that awaits us.