【COVID-19】Taiwan to produce see-through mask to help people with hearing loss
Source:Service Industry Promotion Center
From:Service Industry Promotion Section 1
Update Time:2020/08/31
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Taiwan has been quick to mandate mask-wearing in public spaces. Face masks help you and others around you to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, among other diseases and viruses. However, to curb health risks, mask-wearing can come at the expense of effective social interactions. Existing masks obscure and hide facial expressions that are vital to non-verbal communication, which is especially important for those with hearing impediments to detect potential danger. To ameliorate this issue, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) has successfully commissioned the Textile Industry Research Institute Foundation, Taiwan Comfort Champ, and Nonwoven Converting Machinery to develop a see-through face mask which can be mass-produced early next year. The pilot program has already produced a prototype for testing with deaf children.
People who are deaf or suffering from hearing loss often rely on lip-reading and seeing other people’s facial expressions to communicate. Younger children also rely on nonverbal cues as they are learning to speak. MoEA responded to the petition from a non-governmental organization by tasking the national face mask team to develop see-through face masks. The mask will use anti-fog film to cover the mouth while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the face mask to protect wearers and those around them from the spread of COVID-19 and other . The manufacturing machine has to be overhauled to produce this specialized mask. Meeting such a challenge showcases Taiwan’s manufacturing prowess as a strategic soft power in this pandemic era.
As countries navigate the difficulty of maintaining business activity, TAITRA has adopted technology to allows suppliers and buyers to connect online. We have also facilitated online conferences between Taiwanese hospitals and foreign medical staff to help share Taiwan’s expertise and experience in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
written by : James Chen-en Cheng