roger lance
Neal....your option works out to be about 35 cents for a 11" plastic protector.....not too bad.

Highland Woodworking offers a 27" heavy plastic blade guard for $4.99....item number 454901.

The product I reference from Tools For Working Wood is actually 5'....not 5" as I mistakenly typed.....and can be cut to length.....sells for $6.95 and is item GT-SBG.

And as William says.....make your own by kerfing a piece of scrap.