ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A photo showing an Orange County faculty member wearing a face shield without a face mask in the lunchroom has been drawing attention online.
In August, the Orange County Public Schools Medical Advisory Committee said face masks have to still be worn even if wearing a face shield.
“Everyone has to wear a face mask. Our teachers will have face shields they can wear as well, but that’s in addition to their face mask,” Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins previously said.
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But there’s a reason the school wants students, teaches and staff to wear face masks instead of shields.
“The face shields are a little bit further away. There’s greater airspace and so it’s easier for the virus to disseminate,” said Dr. Vincent Hsu, executive director of infection control at AdventHealth.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University showed just that in a simulation on Tuesday.
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Other school districts including Osceola and Seminole counties updated their policies on Tuesday.
Other districts don’t spell it out specifically in their policies but say face shields without an additional face covering are not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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As for neck gaiters, the CDC said the evaluation into how good the gaiters are.
As for the staff member, Orange County Public Schools said, “The district is aware of the incident and has addressed it directly with the staff member.”
Orange County School District would not confirm at which school the photo was taken or the staff member’s position.