Health

Coronavirus

As a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) swept through the world in 2020, preparedness plans, masking policies and more public policy changed just as quickly. WVXU has covered the pandemic's impact on the Tri-State from the very beginning, when on March 3, 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine barred spectators from attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus over concerns about the virus, even though Ohio had yet to confirm a single case of COVID-19.

Finding Alternatives To Face Masks For Individuals Who Are Deaf

91.7 WVXU | By Michael Monks

Published August 12, 2020 at 4:00 AM EDT

Dr. Will Sawyer of Sharonville Family Medicine wears a face shield.

A powerful tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 is wearing a face covering. But for those in our community who are hard of hearing or deaf, cloth masks create more than just a barrier to the spread of disease - they are a barrier to communication.

Now with schools returning for the fall, many educators are wondering how to safely teach in-person classes with cloth masks, when this presents challenges for some students with disabilities.

Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss alternatives to cloth face coverings are St. Rita's School for the DeafPresident Angela Frith; and Sharonville Family Medicine Dr. Will Sawyer.

Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.

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