US Patent 11492819 Barrier system and method

A retractable barrier that helps prevent the spread of communicable disease includes a first outer surface that faces a first direction, a second outer surface that faces a second direction opposite the first direction, and a filter layer between the first outer surface and the second outer surface. The filter layer includes a particulate filtering material. The barrier is selectively extendable from a compartment to establish a partition that separates individuals on opposite sides of the partition.