Over the past 18 months, many high-profile organizations (public and private) have mandated the use of sneeze guard shields. It’s a protective measure that even the CDC (“Centers for Disease Control”) has officially recommended.
According to the organization, sneeze guards and other similar barriers are vital tools for reducing the risk of coronavirus transmissions. Places like airports, offices, and other business locations can benefit a lot from using sneeze guards.
How Sneeze Guards Serve as Important Sanitary and Protective Tools
In the past, sneeze guards were commonly found in salad bars and restaurants. They were used to protect the food items from external threats like germs, bacteria, and viruses. If anyone coughed or sneezed near the food, germs wouldn’t pass through the guards.
Now, banks, credit unions, grocery stores, retail stores, gyms, gas stations, and hospitals have all started using sneeze guards. The guards keep their customers, visitors, and employees safe.
Many small businesses have managed to stay open because of these guards. These businesses can afford sneeze guards because they’re cheap. The best sneeze guards in the market are made of vinyl or acrylic. Both are cheap and reusable materials.
Vinyl and Acrylic Sneeze Guards
Acrylic is a synthetic petroleum-based version of plastic. Vinyl is also a synthetic version of plastic. It’s made from ethylene, a crude oil extract. Both materials are transparent, light, shatter-resistant, durable, and reusable. According to most health experts, the two are the ideal materials to use as barriers.
Despite being glass-like in many ways, sneeze guards made of these materials are cheap. They’re also easy to clean. Installation is also easy as both acrylic and vinyl bond well with adhesives. Glass and polycarbonate sneeze guards also do a great job at reducing transmission risks. But, they’re not affordable enough for small businesses.
Here are some institutions that use acrylic and vinyl, sneeze guards –
- Food processing companies
- Hotels, resorts, and restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Spas and salons
- Pharmacies
- Schools
- Public transportation
These sneeze barriers are also highly effective in making tight office spaces transmission-free zones.
Vinyl and acrylic guards perform well in office settings because of the following reasons –
Transparent
Visibility between employees is very important for maintaining productivity. Acrylic and vinyl sneeze barriers block respiratory droplets without blocking the view of employees.
Lower Risk of Surface Contamination
Acrylic and vinyl sneeze barriers are cheap. Office managers can easily order a large set of these guards and use them to create isolated workspaces. Each employee can maintain their distance while working inside these isolated spaces.
According to the CDC, the transmission of the COVID19 virus mainly occurs in the form of airborne droplets. By limiting your exposure to the breathing space of fellow employees, you can stay safe.
Of course, touching infected surfaces could also lead to transmissions. Office managers need to set up separate policies to prevent that risk (e.g., wearing gloves).
Create a Sense of Safety
The health and mental wellbeing of employees returning to offices is critical. Installing transparent barriers in workspaces makes employees safer and more welcome. Installing acrylic and vinyl sneeze barriers is an important safety measure all companies must take.
