How Acrylic Sneeze Guards Prevent the Spread of Infection

Employing acrylic sneeze shields and other safeguard barriers has long been a practice in buffet-style dining establishments. More recently, these protective measures have been applied inventively to inhibit the transmission of infectious diseases and illnesses. Similar to how acrylic pamphlet displayers safeguard their interior from external elements, so can acrylic partitions safeguard your employees and clients from viruses. Likewise, akin to the relative affordability of tabletop placard organizers, acrylic sneeze shields offer a cost-efficient method of maintaining your business environment free of pathogens and safe. How Are Diseases Transmitted? Infectious diseases are the result of organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These illnesses can be communicated from human to human, from animals to humans, or even from our environment. Upon being infected, the manifestations and treatments for the disease vary. Numerous protective measures have been implemented to shield people from diseases transmitted by animals, pollutants, and insects. Human-to-human infection is prevalent and occurs through several means: Physical Interaction Physical interaction occurs when one individual comes into contact with another. This contact can happen when an infected individual touches, kisses, sneezes on, or coughs on someone else. Pathogens are transmitted from one person to another through such contact. These pathogens must then find a way into the healthy individual's body, usually through the mouth or eyes. Activities such as coughing, sneezing, and talking can propagate illnesses due to how droplets transmit. Droplets are small accumulations of water, saliva, bodily fluid, and the like, that are expelled from a person’s nose or mouth. These droplets predominantly emanate from an individual’s respiratory system into the air. Generally, droplets are heavy particles, allowing them to only travel a short distance in the air before dropping to the ground. This is where social distancing originated. If you remain approximately six feet away from others, you should theoretically avoid contact with their droplets. Indirect Contact Infections can also transmit without direct contact. Droplets or other pathogenic fluids land on non-living items or surfaces. Another individual then contacts that surface, picking up the germs. This is known as indirect contact. Door handles are a prime example of how indirect contact transmits disease. An individual with the flu coughs into their hand and then touches a door handle. A second individual touches the same handle and subsequently, without washing their hands, touches their own face, introducing the virus into their own system. Other regular vectors for viruses include handles, mobile phones, computing equipment, counters, chairs, tables, and many other communal objects. Disease Prevention Basics Diseases are primarily spread via droplets travelling from one person to another either directly or indirectly. There are several common practices that can help hinder the spread. Stay at home While the term “quarantine” often incites negative imagery, the key idea is to stay away from others while you are ill to stop any potential transmission. This is why employees are urged to remain at home if they are unwell. Some diseases, like COVID-19, necessitate extended quarantine periods (around 14 days), while less serious illnesses such as a stomach bug, might only require a single day away. Cover Your Mouth With afflictions akin to COVID-19, many individuals can be asymptomatic carriers and spreaders. Droplets can still be expelled during talking, breathing, yawning, coughing, or sneezing. This is why covering the face with protective masks, which decrease the transmission of respiratory droplets, is encouraged. Sneezing or coughing into a tissue or your inner elbow are recommended practices. The elbow is superior to the hand as post-cough or sneeze, hands may come into contact with various items, potentially increasing the propagation of the disease. Clean Your Hands Concerning touching items with your hands - frequent hand washing is one of the most efficient preventative strategies against disease. If possible, use soap and water, ensuring that you rub your hands with the soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. The friction generated from rubbing is responsible for the removal of germs from your hands! If soap is not accessible, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a viable alternative. Sanitize Surfaces Keeping surfaces clean is vitally important. Given that pathogens, bacteria, and viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours, it is essential to keep things we touch often, like doorknobs, faucets, handles, and other objects, clean. Similar to how plastic placard holders block droplets from landing on the placards they house, acrylic sneeze shields create a barrier between your employees and the public. Hence, droplets will encounter the barrier before possibly landing on another person. However, maintaining cleanliness is still vital, as the sneeze shield will inevitably accumulate germs. Disinfect your sneeze screens at regular intervals to eliminate any residual viruses. The advantage of using acrylic over other materials is its ease of cleaning, limiting the risk of infection. - Continue reading our related blog on Barrier Methods Against Infections at Work Using Acrylic Sneeze Shields Pros & Cons of Acrylic Sneeze Shields There’s nothing more crucial in your business than the protection of your workers and clients. Plexiglass sneeze shields enable you to do exactly that. Here are some points to ponder: Pros of Acrylic Sneeze Guards *They allow individuals to interact visually and verbally whilst maintaining a safe division. *Acrylic is a relatively cost-effective material available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Customizing your workspace to suit your company’s requirements is possible. *Acrylic is easily cleanable. A few wipes with an alcohol-based cleaner keeps your sneeze shield as pristine as new. Cons of Acrylic Sneeze Guards *A guard cannot absolutely protect against disease transmission. Special attention should be paid when employees handle payments, scan items, or interact with surfaces that others have touched. While the barrier can stop droplet exchange, it does not necessarily address other indirect contact issues. *Sneeze screens need regular sanitation. Droplets harboring viruses may fall onto the screen and could be transmitted if someone unintentionally contacts the screen. Ensure its routine disinfection and inform people not touch the screen. In conclusion, acrylic sneeze shields offer an affordable and fairly simple method of limiting the propagation of diseases within your business. It is advisable for your leadership to also invest in establishing policies concerning social distancing, workplace cleanliness, personal protective equipment usage, and so on. Fortunately, you might not need to locate a specific store to equip your business with suitable acrylic barriers. Companies that provide you wall-mounted pamphlet holders and acrylic sign stands often also offer customized shields for your needs. Visit our website, Danoni, today to learn how you can prevent contamination within the workplace and maintain a healthy workforce and customer base.