NEWS – Contracting COVID-19 is scary and potentially deadly. That’s why I work from home, frequently use grocery pickup, haven’t eaten in a restaurant since last March, and I wear a mask whenever I leave the house and go into stores. I feel relatively safe with these new habits, but I definitely miss traveling. With a ViraShield, I could fly again – if I wanted to look like a complete dork. The ViraShield is a pop-open portable 360-degree, super-resistant protection bubble. When I first saw it, I thought it had to be a joke and I had a flashback to the 70’s John Travolta TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. But as silly as it looks, no, it isn’t a joke. You can buy the ViraShield for $89.99 directly from pictarworld or Amazon. But would you actually use one – in public?
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
It’s definitely not much use in term of portability. Looking carefully will see all the image show the usage of this item in-use when the person is in sitting position. In other words, it’s not usable while the person is moving. Support w/ the careful analysis of the pictures, all the chairs have armrest and the lumps protrudes on the side are design to support and rest on the armrest making the usage substantial reduce. Since it’s not meant to be use when moving and have to be stationary, when use outside your own home (do you even need that inside your own home), the usage of it are not likely to be dictate by the owner or user but rather at the discretionary of the owner of location or the agent of law on the place you travel to. If the TSA or the airline agent decided that the wire-frame inside the item can be use as weapon and thus forbid it as carry-on item then you stuck with either throwing it away or make it a luggage. Neither the seller or the manufacturer make the claim that the item is TSA approved.
That would get me laughed off the plane and onto the tarmac.
And where is the filtered air supply for this bubble? Or a good way to filter incoming contaminated air from those sitting next to you?
I am getting an asthma attack from just looking at that asphyxiation trap.
How does fresh air get in?
From the pics, it’s not completely sealed. There are gaps around your legs/lap. I think it would feel like a sauna in that thing… I bet it steams up.
In Uganda, we have small 14 seater commuter vans we use as taxi service or public transportation.
As Ugandans, we loathe cold. Whenever it rains, my country men close all windows and sit in the ensuing sauna.
I am that one guy with his entire left side or right side soaked in rain because I would rather get drenched than close a window.
The mere sight of that contraption gives me the jitters.
Besides, how do you eat or drink? It’s bad enough for the person in aisle seat when you get up to go to the bathroom, imagine the nightmare for the whole flight as you get in and out of that thing.
If you hated the musical chairs on boarding and stowing luggage, imagine whatever circle of hell it would be sitting in the same row as two people using that thing.
Oh and imagine you get a smudge, at eye level, on the outside…… You would have to look at that smudge for the whole flight. Even while you are sleeping, that smudge will still be there……
Nah, I can barely tolerate the fact that you can’t open a window on the plane. There is absolutely no reason to make things a million times worse.
Sad … ‘nuf said
That reminds me of Seinfeld, The Bubble Boy episode 😀
https://youtu.be/XlbKilkG8uY
First off, there is no Airline on the planet that is going to let a passenger wear this ridiculous thing. #1 function of Cabin Staff is communicating with passengers in the event of an emergency. So there’s that.
The plastic is 100% flammable and would represent a severe safety hazard for the idiot inside and those around them.
To be effective, this bubble would have to be positively ventilated with a powered HEPA filter equipped fan. Where are you going to get power for a 6 hour+ flight? Plus, the noise of the fan would keep you from hearing emergency instructions from the crew.
AND WHERE IS HER FLIPPING FACEMASK?
I own one very similar to this to wear in my classroom to eat lunch when my students are out. I have even worn it to approach kids who need help. I get my first dose of the vaccine tomorrow but when I end up going back into the classroom (been remote since Dec. 18th) I’ll continue to use it.
Mark,
Does it get hot inside? Does it fog up? I think we need a picture of you in your space suit.
Just not practical. A mask and shield will accomplish the same thing and your still getting some fresh air into the mix. Good earlier point – what does TSA think of this contraption. Nice try but no cigar!