There is currently not sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control. In order to evaluate the comparative barrier performance effect of face masks and face shields, we used an aerosol generator and a particle counter to evaluate the performance of the various devices in comparable situations. We tested different configurations in an experimental setup with manikin heads wearing masks (surgical type I), face shields (22.5 cm high with overhang under the chin of 7 cm and circumference of 35 cm) on an emitter or a receiver manikin head, or both. The manikins were face to face, 25 cm apart, with an intense particle emission (52.5 L/min) for 30 s. The particle counter calculated the total cumulative particles aspirated on a volume of 1.416 L In our experimental conditions, when the receiver alone wore a protection, the face shield was more effective (reduction factor = 54.8%), while reduction was lower with a mask (reduction factor = 21.8%) (p = 0.002). The wearing of a protective device by the emitter alone reduced the level of received particles by 96.8% for both the mask and face shield (p = NS). When both the emitter and receiver manikin heads wore a face shield, the protection allowed for better results in our experimental conditions: 98% reduction for the face shields versus 97.3% for the masks (p = 0.01). Face shields offered an even better barrier effect than the mask against small inhaled particles (<0.3 µm–0.3 to 0.5 µm–0.5 to 1 µm) in all configurations. Therefore, it would be interesting to include face shields as used in our experimental study as part of strategies to reduce transmission within the community setting.

Introduction: a Pakistani team carried out a multicenter, randomized clinical trial in 2020, with a treatment called HNS comprising honey and black seed (Nigella sativa) on COVID-19 individuals. Materials and methods: the test was carried out at four health care facilities in Pakistan. The randomized multicenter protocol concerns 316 COVID-19 patients (210 with moderate clinical signs and 103 with severe signs). Of the moderate cases, 107 received treatment including Nigella sativa (80 mg/kg/day) and Honey (1g/kg /day) orally for up to 14 days, while 103 took a placebo. For severe cases, 50 patients received HNS and 53 received placebo. Results: it was observed a reduction in the duration of symptoms to 6 days (treated) versus 13 days (placebo) for severe COVID-19 cases, and 4 days (treated) versus 7 days (placebo) for moderate COVID-19 cases. HNS reduced viral carriage by about 4 days for severe or moderate cases. HNS treatment improved the clinical score on day 6 with resumption of normal activity in 64% vs. 11% in moderate cases, and discharge from hospital in 50% of cases vs. 3% in severe cases. In severe cases, the death rate was reduced by 82%. No adverse effects related to HNS have been observed. Conclusion: the HNS mixture comprising honey and Nigella sativa seems very active in treating individuals with severe or moderate COVID-19. After confirmation of this activity, the HNS mixture could potentially be used for the treatment of such patients.