Cough is a major symptom in SARS-CoV-2, also is the major cause of spreading the virus. The use of Face masks has been recommended to reduce its community transmission, as they serve as a control device and reduces the expulsion of respiratory aerosols during coughing, breathing, and speaking. 

The use of Face shields and neck gaiters is being widely done today. To see its efficacy, Lindsley W.G. et al carried out a study utilizing a cough aerosol simulator with a pliable skinhead form that propelled small aerosol particles (0 to 7 µm) into different face coverings. 

They described the cough aerosol blockage capacity of different control devices as--

• N95 respirator = 99%  
• medical grade procedure mask = 59%   
• 3-ply cotton cloth face mask = 51%  
• polyester neck gaiter = 47% as a single layer and 60% when folded into a double layer. 
• face shield = 2% 

Thus they recommended the use of face mask and neck gaiters to protect ourselves from the cough aerosols of the SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Source: Lindsley WG, Blachere FM, Law BF, Beezhold DH, Noti JD. Efficacy of face masks, neck gaiters and face shields for reducing the expulsion of simulated cough-generated aerosols, Aerosol Science and Technology,2021; 55(4): 449-457, DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2020.1862409