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Currently, the whole world is facing a serious shortage of essential medical supplies. The lack of masks has prompted people to simply make their own. However, college student Ashley Lawrence noticed that no one’s making masks for the deaf and hard of hearing community. As the numbers of coronavirus cases are rising, it’s important for people to have essential medical items, so Ashley decided to join the cause by making her own masks for those in need.
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After realizing there’s a shortage of masks suitable for deaf and hard of hearing this woman starts making them herself
Image credits: Ashley Lawrence
Ashley, who is currently in self-isolation, studies deaf education at Eastern Kentucky University. The 21-year-old student got a new project idea after she realized that the supply of masks suitable for people who are deaf is very limited.
Image credits: Ashley Lawrence
Image credits: Ashley Lawrence
“I just saw that people were making masks on Facebook for everyone to have instead of the throwaway masks, and I was like, what about the deaf and hard of hearing population?” she told Lex 18.
Image credits: Ashley Lawrence
After asking her mom for help, they both started making masks that feature a plastic window right where the person’s mouth is. Apparently, for those who use American sign language and lip-reading as a way of communication, being able to see a person’s lips is crucial. “I don’t know if you have seen Virginia Moore on Andy Beshear’s things at five o’clock, but she’s very emotive, and if half of that is gone because you’re wearing a mask then half of what you’re saying is being missed, so even if it’s not physically talking and just using ASL, then you need to have that kind of access,” she said.
Image credits: Ashley Lawrence
Ashley posted her creation on Facebook and soon it was proved how much of a demand these sorts of masks have. Her post gathered attention from the media and quite a few orders from people across the US. For now, the woman is making as many of them as she is capable and sending them out to people for free. However, as the demand rises, she is planning to give away free patterns and tutorials so people can make their own. To keep her cause going, she created a GoFundMe campaign so people can help her pay for the supplies.
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What do you think ?
Astrid Nineor 5 years ago
Nice idea, but Unless it adheres to the fornal standards it could cause a false feelinng of security, it doesnt seem to be tight-fitiing, thus virus will get past it easily
Shawn 5 years ago
She needs to put like bra wire in the border of the mask spo it can become a nice form fit and will hold its shape.
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Troux 5 years ago
Hate to criticize such good intentions, but I forsee that window fogging up every 5 seconds, and then getting wiped off on the inside by hand. This scenario sounds even more contaminating than talking without a mask.
Lark 5 years ago
Unfortunately, that was my second take, too, after "How sweet, but..."
Load More Replies...
K. 5 years ago
I am so happy to see, hear, and read that a lot of people are stepping up. That there is more good in the world than we realize. I feel so frustrated and mad, that it comes down to a pandemic and our systems failing before we realize that we have each other through this. I’m not mad about having each other’s backs. I am that our community is doing more than some of the leaders in our highest offices. Sometimes compassion brings out the relentless passion and creativity in us to champion others and rectify what’s broken or missing in our society. We forget the disabled and homeless. They are not marginalized annotations in our system or society.
Water Bottle 5 years ago
I’m happy someone thought of this! (It wouldn’t have crossed my mind). There may be a few flaws, as pointed out in a few comments, but overall this could be super beneficial.
Kanga9ine 5 years ago
And what did you do today to try to get into the solution and not critique those who did? All the complaining, waiting, who's going to fix this, oh whoa is me and basically doing what? Kudos to those who attempt to make it better. It all starts with an idea. Build on that rather than shoot it down before it has a chance to work. We'd never be flying, using Velcro in kids shoes (big thanks there) or sticking little yellow post it notes if they were shot down as soon as the idea was made known to someone besides ourself. This "someone else will surely do something, I'm in the Middle of binge watching b******t" attitude is getting old. Where is the outrage and protesting we saw with the Vietnam War? There is such a war going on here.
K. LNU 5 years ago
PSA: while these can help - they must be something that are washable/disposable (think ONE use), and using clean hands only touching the ties, otherwise the mask is compromised. Also the eyes are left vulnerable. One good sneeze may not get into your mouth or nose, but the eyeballs are exposed!
Doctor who?! 5 years ago
I think this is a wonderful and lovely idea, this could be very useful so its a congrats from me :)
iblowsheep 5 years ago
Good idea. Could you do the same thing with a roll of clear packing tape? 287-5e8b60...7a789e.jpg 
Astrid Nineor 5 years ago
Nice idea, but Unless it adheres to the fornal standards it could cause a false feelinng of security, it doesnt seem to be tight-fitiing, thus virus will get past it easily
Shawn 5 years ago
She needs to put like bra wire in the border of the mask spo it can become a nice form fit and will hold its shape.
Load More Replies... Troux 5 years ago
Hate to criticize such good intentions, but I forsee that window fogging up every 5 seconds, and then getting wiped off on the inside by hand. This scenario sounds even more contaminating than talking without a mask.
Lark 5 years ago
Unfortunately, that was my second take, too, after "How sweet, but..."
Load More Replies... K. 5 years ago
I am so happy to see, hear, and read that a lot of people are stepping up. That there is more good in the world than we realize. I feel so frustrated and mad, that it comes down to a pandemic and our systems failing before we realize that we have each other through this. I’m not mad about having each other’s backs. I am that our community is doing more than some of the leaders in our highest offices. Sometimes compassion brings out the relentless passion and creativity in us to champion others and rectify what’s broken or missing in our society. We forget the disabled and homeless. They are not marginalized annotations in our system or society.
Water Bottle 5 years ago
I’m happy someone thought of this! (It wouldn’t have crossed my mind). There may be a few flaws, as pointed out in a few comments, but overall this could be super beneficial.
Kanga9ine 5 years ago
And what did you do today to try to get into the solution and not critique those who did? All the complaining, waiting, who's going to fix this, oh whoa is me and basically doing what? Kudos to those who attempt to make it better. It all starts with an idea. Build on that rather than shoot it down before it has a chance to work. We'd never be flying, using Velcro in kids shoes (big thanks there) or sticking little yellow post it notes if they were shot down as soon as the idea was made known to someone besides ourself. This "someone else will surely do something, I'm in the Middle of binge watching b******t" attitude is getting old. Where is the outrage and protesting we saw with the Vietnam War? There is such a war going on here.
K. LNU 5 years ago
PSA: while these can help - they must be something that are washable/disposable (think ONE use), and using clean hands only touching the ties, otherwise the mask is compromised. Also the eyes are left vulnerable. One good sneeze may not get into your mouth or nose, but the eyeballs are exposed!
Doctor who?! 5 years ago
I think this is a wonderful and lovely idea, this could be very useful so its a congrats from me :)
iblowsheep 5 years ago
Good idea. Could you do the same thing with a roll of clear packing tape? 287-5e8b60...7a789e.jpg
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