As the world grappled with shortages of face masks and PPE amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one essential need was overlooked: masks for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. A dedicated 21-year-old American student, training to become a teacher for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, stepped up to address this gap.
With the virus spreading rapidly across the U.S., she recognized that everyone deserves appropriate protection. Crucially, many deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals rely on lip-reading to communicate. Her solution? A transparent face mask that keeps the mouth visible for clear lip-reading while shielding against the virus.
Read also: 'Coronavirus: This is how you use the face mask correctly'
Teaming up with her mother, she crafted prototypes and shared them on Facebook. The response was overwhelming, with orders pouring in from across the country. Producing as many as possible, she now plans to release a free sewing pattern and a step-by-step tutorial so others can make these masks at home.
Source: BoredPanda.com, Image: Ashley Lawrence
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