[uxp]

For what, though? And I'm 100% being honest here, what is the specific situation you are envisioning that requires a face shield in your home?

In a medical setting, shields are typically used in conjunction with eye goggles and respirators when performing procedures that have a tendency to cause or be around splashing body fluids. Outside of someone sneezing or spitting on you directly, I can't think of an analogous situation that I come into on even a rare circumstance that a face shield would protect me from.

[marcus_holmes]

It's the same mentality as people buying guns.

What situation that could conceivably arise from a pandemic requires an automatic rifle?

It's a generalised sense of "bad things are happening, I need to be prepared for bad things to happen to me".

[ThrowawayR2]

> "What situation that could conceivably arise from a pandemic requires an automatic rifle?"

Good thing that automatic rifles aren't available for sale to the civilian market[1] then, I suppose.

[1] Yes, the pedants will point out that it's theoretically possible with special licensing but it's very uncommon.

[staticautomatic]

I don't think that's why people prep and buy guns.

[briandear]

> What situation that could conceivably arise from a pandemic requires a [semiautomatic] rifle?

Rioting, looting, people breaking into your home, police “sick outs.”

See what happens if the electricity goes out or all stores are forced to close.

[WillPostForFood]

You store it in your home, then wear it when you go line up for food in case the person next to you turns and coughs or sneezes.

[beerandt]

Imagine being at the gas pump, and the person next to you sprays gasoline at you. A faceshield might keep your face from getting soaking wet, but if you smell the fumes, it hasn't prevented exposure to your sinuses or lungs.

Except you can't smell a virus.

[mbreese]

That isn't what a face shield is for and it won't protect you in that scenario.