Calls for clear facemasks to be mandatory across Lincolnshire and Newark
PPE has had a big impact on people who are deaf
There are calls for clear facemasks to be made mandatory in places like shops and schools across Lincolnshire and Newark.
It comes as we hear about the difficulties faced by people who are deaf and struggle when PPE prevents lip-reading.
Kate from Lincoln is profoundly deaf, she gave birth during lockdown.
"Midwives were wearing face masks so it was hard for me to understand what they were saying.
"When it came to giving birth I told the midwife at the hospital.
"Every time she was talking to me, she would just make sure that she was stood back, lower her mask, and made sure that I knew what was going on.
"She was amazing."
Kate found video calls difficult too.
"I struggled to keep up when there were a lot of people talking.
"It was quite isolating.
"It was frustrating to not be able to take part in family conversations."
13-year-old Demi, also from Lincoln, says talking slowly helps.
"Face masks make it hard to lipread.
"It would help if people learnt the basics like hello, please and thank you in sign language.
"I've now started teaching people."