It has become clear to me that there are some people who will #maskForever. If you #MaskUp and work in a public facing job, please read this advice from people who are hard of hearing. We need your help: (#Thread, Please share)
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks
I read lips. I knew I was doing it some, but #Covid19 made it clear to me that I was doing it a lot more than I thought. If I cannot see your mouth I will miss 20-40% of what you say. Help me keep that number as low as possible.
First and foremost: When you speak point your eyes, your nose, and your shoulders straight at me. Stop doing *any* other activity when talking. Looking at a screen and typing are particularly bad things to do. Also don't keep talking after you have walked away. If you forgot to say something just come back.
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks
Enunciate: Slow your speech down enough to make each and every sound. Really emphasize CONSONANTS especially at the end of syllables. Don't worry as much about the vowels I can usually hear those. Spit out these Ts Fs ks Ps and Ss in particular. (Listen to NPR. they have the right speed and an appropriate level of diction)
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks
Speak louder, but don't yell: Volume helps anger is counter productive. Use your diaphragm to move more air and open your mouth wider. Move your jaw more.
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks
Just say it again, don't get frustrated: I will have to ask you to repeat yourself. Please just say exactly the same words again, and maybe do some of the other things to help me hear as well. Don't try new words, I probably caught half of what you said and now I can try to catch the other half. Yelling does not improve our situation, and I am not doing this to you because I'm trying to same you for wearing a mask. I just can't understand you.
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks
Finally, the CDC allow people with hearing impairments and anyone speaking with them to remove their mask to talk even in circumstances where mask are required. No you can't see my in ear hearing aids under my hair and I should not have to show them to you to get and read out the exact CDC / State Health Department guidelines to you. No one with any other disability would put up with that behavior.
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks
Don't talk to your self: There is nothing more frustrating than having someone mumble something at their computer that I think may be for me. I then ask them to repeat it. They tell me that they weren't talking to me, but they never look away from their screen so I can't hear that either. Now I have to ask them to say it yet again, and they yell "I'm not talking to you!" To which I tend to yell "I can't tell!"
#masksForever #MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidIsNotOver #N95 #Covid19 #CovidIsAirborne #WearAMask #BringBackMasks