Behold the Tube Tube, a PPE headshield designed for getting public transport

  • london
  • June 17, 2020
  • Comments Off on Behold the Tube Tube, a PPE headshield designed for getting public transport
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As lockdown starts to ease and getting public transport becomes an option (but only when wearing a mask), travelling around London could look quite different to pre-coronavirus times.

We might all be wearing the Tube Tube, for one thing.

The Tube Tube, also known as the Plastock 360 Persona, is a PPE headshield that wraps around your entire head to protect you from Covid-19 when you’re out and about.

It’s the creation of plastic supplier Plastock, who hope the product will offer reassurance for nervous travellers on the move.

The idea behind the Tube Tube is that it could be more comfortable than face masks, allowing you to breathe without restriction and allow other people to read your facial expressions – as well as allowing for lipreading.

It’s a lightweight Perspex tube that fits flush to the upper body to maximise protection, with each Tube Tube created bespoke to order so it’s propertly tailored to your body.

One downside though is the price – the Tube Tube is far more expensive than your average face mask, with prices starting from £95.

Gareth McLaughlin, an Assistant Events Manager from London, tried out the screen for his commute. He said: ‘I felt a bit self-conscious at first, but it’s lightweight, and doesn’t obstruct communication and breathing like a mask does.

‘I’ve been nervous about getting back on the tube, but the complete 360° barrier and the extra height gave me the reassurance to travel into work.’

Co-founder of Plastock Dan Myers added: ‘The 15th June is a milestone for the UK economy – the opening of non-essential businesses will inevitably encourage people to leave the house more often, and at the same time, it will be mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport.

‘We wanted to create something which would make people feel safe while out and about, and also offer an alternative to face masks which many people find uncomfortable to wear.

‘The ‘Tube Tube’ will allow people to feel protected, protect others and abide by new travel advice, whilst keeping a clear view of their surroundings.

‘The pandemic has created increased anxiety levels across the UK, so we hope that by producing these protective shields, we will give people the confidence to be able to travel more easily.’

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