Categories: News

Do plexiglass barriers actually prevent viral transmission?

From the presidential debate stage to the drugstore on the corner, it seems like plexiglass barriers meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are suddenly ubiquitous. But do the see-through shields really work to protect against the virus, or are they simply another example of hygiene theater? The answer is a bit of both, Vox reports. The barriers do block large droplets—say, from a person speaking loudly at close range—but they don’t protect from the risk of inhaling airborne particles. Other factors like air flow matter, too, and it’s important to also wear a mask. Despite the science, business is booming for plexiglass suppliers. They don’t expect demand to last far past 2021. 

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