COVID-19: Doctors discuss face masks vs. face shields

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Doctors with Marian Regional Medical Center are warning the community about the risk of wearing face shields without a mask.

They say it's providing a false sense of security.

"I see people wearing face shields without a mask. This is not very helpful because there’s room for virus particles to escape," said Dr. Chuck Merrill with Marian Regional Medical Center.

The coronavirus can easily escape the face shield making it less effective for the person wearing the device as well as those nearby.

Unless you have severe lung disease doctors recommend wearing a mask.

Doctors say you can wear face shield with a mask for added protection, however.

"Well I’m wearing this facial because I feel more protected and aside from wearing my mask and I think this is an added protection," said Angie Pimentel who wears both a shield and a mask.

"I am wearing a mask and a shield to be extra protected. I don’t want to spread any germs or anything especially the COVID to the people that I visit to work or to my home to my children," said Pimentel's friend Araceli Cota.

Doctors emphasize the easiest way to slow the spread of coronavirus is through physical distancing and wearing a mask.