Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are telling parents to forget using face shields for students this fall.
The announcement comes after the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced masks are in fact safer and more effective than face shields in prevent transmission of COVID-19.
“Face shields have not been deemed effective for source control and are only to be used when other methods of protection are not available or appropriate,” ISEB said in a letter Tuesday.
Shields may be used in ‘limited situations’ when a mouth needs to be seen, such as teachers of English Learners or world languages who students may need to see their mouths to form words. However video instruction is recommended in such situations to further promote social distancing measures.
Homemade masks will be allowed when school resumes, but they must be secure firm around the nose and mouth. The State will also provide a free reusable cloth mask to every student and teacher.
