The Cook County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), in conjunction with the local medical community, announced the need this morning for face coverings to help bridge the communication gap for the hearing impaired.
“The executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings in public places has exposed an area of concern: the ability for hearing impaired persons to be able to read lips,” said EOC Incident Co-Commander Grace Grinager. “After researching and testing face coverings with clear windows, we have identified a preferred pattern and are ready to ask for the community’s help in meeting this need.”
That need – at least initially – is for 200 masks with clear windows. The preferred pattern, along with photos and a tutorial video, is available at inspiration.cricut.com/cricut-face-mask-with-window/.
A copy of the instructions is also attached to this release.
Completed masks can be donated to the EOC by contacting the site manager at 218-387-3638 or covid-19donations@co.cook.mn.us. Phone and emails will be answered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drop-offs will be accepted by appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“The response to our donations requests to date has been overwhelming, and we are grateful that we can help meet the needs of the Cook County community during this pandemic” Grinager stated. “This latest need – face coverings with clear windows – will help bridge the gap in accessible communication in our community. Our hope is to meet this need shortly.”
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