The meaning and perceptions behind face masks are complex and intricate. The requirement to wear masks in public spaces highlights the inequities and social barriers that typically go unseen for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. It is critical to explore these barriers within a sociological context that goes beyond scientific evidence, in order to gain a multidimensional understanding of the implications of mask wearing bylaws mandated by the government and public health officials. Considering specific barriers enables a proper construction of appropriate solutions that address the identified issue. Evidence suggests that there has been a limited application of existing preventative health frameworks for those with disabilities during previous health crises as well as the COVID-19 pandemic (Sabatello, 2020).More specifically, people that rely on lip reading and facial expressions to communicate are directly affected by face mask wearing and experience social barriers in public settings that continue to get overlooked despite the prevalence of this growing population (Figure 1).
Therefore, it is critical to pinpoint the ways that face mask wearing acts as a social barrier and how it raises accessibility concerns for those that rely on facial expressions and lip reading during a health crisis. Navigating forms of socially constructed stigmas, societal norms, and distributive justice within the context of disabilities and face mask wearing, is necessary to evolve society’s perceptions of the minority group and provide them with necessary support. Concerns related to the mask bylaw social stigma of those with disabilities, inequitable access, and thus,how these topics are intertwined will be investigated. Using stories that stem from personal experiences in combination with sociological evidence will be utilized to propose solutions that address the daily social and accessibility implications faced by those who are hard of hearing or deaf.
SOCIAL HESITATION CONSTRUCTED BY STIGMA
Mask wearing bylaws have been mandated at an international level. Although these policies are implemented in the interest of public health, full participation from society requires that the accessibility and social challenges faced by those with disabilities be strongly considered (Kohek et al., 2020). The design of face masks obstructs the ability to clearly communicate and interact with peers. Melanie Baugher states how masks have affected the flow of her daily life.She was born deaf and uses hearing aids, lip reading, and social cues to communicate (McCarthy, 2020).“With the masks, I cannot tell if you are joking, mad or serious. So,what do I do?... I just smile, nod, and move on. Now I only go grocery shopping with someone with me. I knew it was going to be hard, but this is a whole new level.”
Masks arguably create communication challenges to a greater extent for those who rely on lip-reading and facial expressions (Chodosh et al., 2020). This social barrier hinders the natural ability to function in society without receiving certain degrees of social stigma, backlash,exclusion from public spaces, continuous questioning, refusal of service, and unjust consequences (Kohek et al., 2020). Members of the public who enforce these laws may not be informed of both the social and accessibility challenges experienced by persons with disabilities.The absence of awareness may intensify predisposed mind-sets of discrimination, provoke feelings of social isolation, and magnify the neglection of this demographic. The “Be Kind”campaign founded in Newfoundland and Labrador, raises necessary awareness about the challenges faced by those with a hearing disability as a result of mandatory mask wearing (Waterman, 2020). Respect, compassion, courtesy, and knowledge are deemed to be fundamental factors for evolving the way society treats persons with disabilities amidst the pandemic.
Cloth or surgical masks block the facial cues persons who are hard of hearing use to communicate. An alternative and viable option is needed to stop the spread yet assist with interactions among these individuals. Debbie Abel, president of the Academy of Doctors ofAudiology, states how ear hooks have been a major trouble spot in mask wearing for the hearing impaired (McCarthy, 2020):"Hearing aids are getting lost left and right. People who wear hearing aids and glasses, there's a lot going on back there behind the ears."
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (2020), does not recommend the use offace shields as a substitute for masks, which was once posed as a potential solution for the communication barrier the hard of hearing face. Instead, clear masks have been imperative for breaking the barriers for this marginalized group. The ClearMask (2020), is the “first fully transparent, FDA-cleared, class II surgical mask with full-face visibility.” This clear panel allows social-hesitant individuals to become an active member in society (Figure 2).
RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY
Mask wearing bylaws also raise accessibility concerns for those with disabilities. This barrier stems from the expense of face masks and the lack of equitable access to such equipment.Persons who rely on exposed facial interactions may have difficulty being proactive to obtain face masks in the public due to social hesitation that has been developed from stigma.Furthermore, research suggests that disability income-assistance recipients are at a higher risk of infection and enduring adverse health outcomes (Scott et al., 2020). Persons with disabilities,have been inequitably burdened during past health crises and by the current effects of COVID-19. The numerous unjust issues call society to become more educated regarding the compliance to mandatory mask bylaws and the physical and social inability to abide by these policies.According to Kohek and colleagues (2020), citywide educational campaigns promoting public awareness on the circumstances that make mask-wearing challenging, will create a wider understanding of these barriers and may decrease stigmatization and confrontation towards these individuals. Public awareness can create a more comfortable environment for people with disabilities who enter public spaces without masks (Kohek et al., 2020). Certain cities began distributing masks through restaurant drive-thrus, yet this forces many persons with disabilities to have access to a vehicle. The distribution of masks through the public transit systems for those in need could be a valuable solution to minimize accessibility distresses (Kohek et al., 2020).Furthermore, this idea could be implemented in other buildings that provide essential services such as distributing masks at the entranceway of grocery stores, pharmacies or banks. Solutions that enable the provision of face masks at a suitable cost is imperative for moving towards inclusive participation in society.
~How will you contribute to stopping the spread, stopping the stigma,and finding solutions during a time that calls for a collective response?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). Considerations for Wearing Masks: HelpSlow the Spread of COVID-19. CDC. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html#:~:text=who%20require%20them.-,Other%20Types%20of%20Face%20Protection,cover%20the%20nose%20and%20mouth
Chodosh, J., Weinstein, B. E., & Blustein, J. (2020). Face masks can be devastating for people with hearing loss.ClearMask. (2020).
ClearMask: Clarity, Comfort, Connection. Retrieved fromhttps://www.theclearmask.com/product
Kohek, J., Seth, A., Edwards, M., & Zwicker, J. (2020). Mandatory Mask Bylaws:Considerations Beyond Exemption for Persons With Disabilities. The School of PublicPolicy Publications, 13(2), 1-12.
McCarthy, M. (2020). Lip Reading Facial Expressions: How Masks Make life Harder for People with Hearing Difficulties. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/covid19-face-masks-difficulties-people-hearing-impairments
Sabatello, M., Burke, T. B., McDonald, K. E., & Appelbaum, P. S. (2020). Disability, ethics, and health care in the COVID-19 pandemic. American journal of public health, 110(10), 1523-1527. DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305837
Scott, C., Russell, M., & Zwicker, J. (2020). Social Policy Trends: COVID-19 Implications forDisability Assistance Clients. The School of Public Policy Publications, 13.
Waterman, A. (2020). ‘Be Kind’ campaign raises awareness about disabled people in Newfoundland and Labrador who can’t wear a mask. The Telegram. Retrieved fromhttps://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/be-kind-campaign-raises-awareness-about-disabled-people-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-who-cant-wear-a-mask-506960