COVID-19 Task Force Mulls Transparent Masks For Deaf

Shirley Keoagile
Shirley Keoagile

The Coordinator of Presidential Task Team On COVID-19, Dr Kereng Masupu says government will consider the option of transparent masks in the interest of the deaf and hard to hear members of the community.

This follows complaints raised by the deaf community that as COVID-19 control and prevention measures intensify and all Batswana being urged to wear masks, the deaf find themselves further disadvantaged as they depend on lip-reading for ease of communication.  Masupu explained that they had not forgotten about the deaf community when the pandemic started but regarding the usage of transparent masks, he said they would have to conduct research on them. “It means our research team would have to work on them first because there should be some set standards for such masks. We do not want the users to suffocate because of the material used for the transparent masks,” he said.

Permanent Secretary to the President, Elias Magosi also added that they would make sure that the deaf community is not left behind.

Editor's Comment
Gov’t must rectify recognition of Khama as Kgosi

While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....

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