Covid-19: transparent masks will soon be generalized

These masks are equipped with a transparent band, necessary for deaf and hard of hearing people to be able to read lips and see facial expressions. Saturday August 22 on France Info, the Secretary of State in charge of people with disabilities, Sophie Cluzel, announced that they were going to be generalized. Two models have been approved and are launched in production, several others should follow this path, which will make it possible to lower the price of these adapted masks. Today, they cost between 10 and 15 euros on average.

Masks necessary for many people

“It’s important for the deaf, because those who can lipread can finally do itexplained the Secretary of State. But it is also for many audiences: those with a mental disability, who need to understand at the same time as verbal expression, facial communication, but also the elderly“In Japan, teachers are also touting the benefits of these masks.”I know it’s frustrating that my students can’t see my mouth or the expression on my face, entrusted to I’AFP Rory Burnham Pickett, a teacher in Sapporo in the north of the country. I made myself a transparent mask because it is difficult to find.“

Increase orders to lower prices

In France, the first approved transparent mask was created by Anissa Mekrabech, a Toulousaine suffering from deafness. “A passage to the pharmacy where communication with the staff was greatly degraded due to the wearing of the classic mask” gave him the idea to make a prototype. She has since created her own company, ASA Initia, and entered into a partnership with the Association des Paralysés de France. 20,000 masks have been ordered from this company. “The more masks we have available, the more we will be able to lower the price, so that they are accessible to all.“, underlined Sophie Cluzel. Orders could be made by the State to equip reception agents.