If you’re tired of struggling with a mask or don’t enjoy having a pocket of hot air on your face for long periods of time, a face shield offers protection and the sweet relief of fresh air. “You don’t get to feel the breeze on your face, but you do get some fresh air, rather than trying to breathe through a cloth mask,” says Dr. Esper. It’s also easier to talk and most importantly, people can still see your face during interactions. “Because they extend down from the forehead, shields protect the eyes as well as the nose and mouth,” says pediatric infectious disease specialist Frank Esper, MD. The coverage that face shields offer is ideal since the new coronavirus can enter the body through those points.