15.22°C Vancouver

May 21, 2020 4:13 PM -

Masks problematic for asthmatic, autistic, hearing-impaired people

Share On
masks-problematic-for-asthmatic-autistic-hearing-impaired-people
A discarded face mask is shown on a street next to a mobile COVID-19 testing clinic in Montreal, Sunday, May 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Autism Canada and Asthma Canada are just two of the organizations raising issues about the wearing of face masks.

Even as she was encouraging people to wear masks in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam warned people not to judge those who can't wear them.

Asthma Canada's president says wearing a mask can trigger asthma symptoms.

Autism Canada says adults and children who have trouble with sensory processing, as well as tactile, olfactory and nervous-system hypersensitivity could face serious challenges in wearing a mask.

Deaf and hearing-impaired Canadians may find the new COVID-19 era more challenging As more people wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus, those who rely on reading lips could find their ability to communicate hampered.

People's voices could also be muffled by the face coverings making it harder for the hearing impaired to understand.

The Alaska-based company Rapid Response PPE has developed face masks with clear shields, so hearing-impaired people can see facial cues and lip movement.

Latest news

man-charged-with-first-degree-murder-after-two-children-found-dead-in-calgary-vehicle
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Man charged with first-degree murder after two children found dead in Calgary vehicle

A 37-year-old man is facing two counts of first-degree murder after the bodies of two children were found inside a vehicle in Calgary, according to court records. Police have said the victims were under the age of 10. Their identities are protected under a publication ban. According to police, the man was arrested outside the vehicle on Thursday. Court documents indicate the children were killed on or about Wednesday, though the circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been detailed publicly. The accused appeared in court Friday morning. A bail hearing is scheduled for next week. The ch
federal-government-commits-9-8m-to-canada-soccer-training-centre-project-in-vancouver
CanadaMay 01, 2026

Federal government commits $9.8M to Canada Soccer training centre project in Vancouver

The federal government has announced $9.8 million in funding for early-stage work on a proposed national training centre for Canada Soccer in Vancouver. According to a federal announcement made Friday, the funding will support the design, planning and pre-construction phases of the project. Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson outlined the investment at a news conference in Vancouver. Van Koeverden said the funding is aimed at developing a high-performance training facility for athletes, adding the project is intended to stren
police-seek-witnesses-after-child-assaulted-at-khalsa-day-event-in-surrey
BCMay 01, 2026

Police seek witnesses after child assaulted at Khalsa Day event in Surrey

Surrey Police Service says it is investigating an alleged assault involving a child during Khalsa Day celebrations on April 19 in Surrey. According to a police news release, frontline officers responded around 5 p.m. to a report of an assault outside a gurdwara in the 12800 block of 85 Avenue. Investigators say an eight-year-old boy was inside a carnival attraction called “Kreepy Kastle,” set up in the parking lot for the event, when he was allegedly assaulted by two adult men. Police say the child was able to escape and alert family members. He suffered injuries to his neck and was treate
WorldMay 01, 2026

Five killed in small plane crash near Austin, Texas, county official says

Five people are dead after a small plane crashed near Wimberley, Texas, on Thursday night, according to a local official. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said in a Facebook post that the aircraft went down in the area, located about 40 miles southwest of Austin. All five individuals on board were killed, he said. Details about the aircraft, the identities of those on board, and the cause of the crash were not immediately released. It is not clear which agencies are leading the investigation. Authorities have not provided additional information on conditions at the time of the crash or whether
punjab-assembly-passes-confidence-motion-with-88-aap-mlas-voting-in-favour
IndiaMay 01, 2026

Punjab Assembly passes confidence motion with 88 AAP MLAs voting in favour

The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a confidence motion tabled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session called by the state government, according to proceedings reported from the House. The motion was introduced to demonstrate the government’s majority. A total of 88 legislators from the Aam Aadmi Party voted in favour, while four MLAs were absent at the time of voting. Ahead of the session, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the need for a confidence motion, stating that the ruling party already holds a large majority in the Assembly. He said the move

Related News