COVID-19: Adding Face Shields to Masks / Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

By Kelly Young

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

Here is some of the recent research on COVID-19:

Face shields: Wearing a face shield on top of a surgical mask may reduce community health workers' risk for COVID-19, according to a JAMA research letter. Community workers in India wore face masks and other personal protective equipment when conducting home visits to counsel asymptomatic household contacts of people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. After 12 of 62 workers tested positive, the uninfected workers started to also wear face shields. After face shields were added, no workers tested positive.

MIS-C: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to be an immunopathogenic illness distinct from Kawasaki disease, researchers describe in Nature Medicine. They examined lab work from 25 children with MIS-C at various stages during their illness. Neutrophilia and raised monocyte counts — features of Kawasaki disease — were not seen. Only two patients met the criteria for complete Kawasaki disease.