As the pandemic continues, one hospital has found a way to help protect babies from coronavirus.
A hospital in Bangkok, Thailand has begun fitting babies with plastic face shields to stop viral particles, such as coughs or sneezes, from coming into contact with babies' faces.
Staff from the Praram 9 Hospital issued a statement on Facebook, writing that the masks have been implemented “because safety is what we care about the most.”
In the photo included with the statement, nurses are wearing surgical face masks, as they fit a mini visor on a baby. BBC Thailandreports that the shields provide “peace of mind” for new mothers.
The outlet adds that the masks aren’t meant to be worn at all times since they can become unhygienic. The visors are to be used when the babies have to be protected while outside, such as traveling from the hospital to the home.
Although coronavirus has hit the elderly particularly hard, babies are still susceptible. In early February, a woman in Wuhan who had tested positive for COVID-19 gave birth to a baby with the virus. Babies have also died in Louisiana and, possibly, Connecticut after contracting the virus; the cause of death in the latter case is still waiting to be confirmed.
