Spaniards make transparent masks for deaf

A group of volunteers have begun producing face masks for deaf people in the southern Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera.

The masks have material around the edges but the central section is made out of see-through plastic.

This enables lip-reading, which along with sign language is a crucial part of how people with hearing difficulties can understand others and communicate.

The normal face masks that are becoming obligatory as part of anti-coronavirus measures across the globe are not transparent, making life harder for people who rely on lip-reading.

"At first we used the rain covers from children's buggies to make (the masks)," volunteer Francisco Zuasti told reporters.

The masks open at the side so they do not steam up, Zuasti said.

The group hopes that other parts of the country will catch on to the idea and make masks for deaf people and those with hearing difficulties numbering about 1 million people across Spain, according to Zuasti.