ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — On the doors and windows of most businesses, residents of Newfoundland and Labrador have been reminded for months that wearing a mask is one way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
But for people with disabilities or health issues that make wearing a mask difficult, the requirement to be masked can prevent them from accessing services they need to survive.
Ashley Gosse is the information officer with the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her sister has cognitive and physical disabilities as well as a cochlear implant, which makes wearing a mask incredibly challenging, she says.
“Having a mask that comes up around your ears impacts her processor, impacts how she can hear,” Gosse said.
As well, there are those who must consider sensory and respiratory issues, as well as vision impairments, before covering their mouths.
“There was a point in time during COVID where everybody (was saying), 'Just follow the arrows,'" she said. "But what if you can’t see the arrows? What if you’re a kid with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) who has a very specific way of going in and out of a store, who needs to go that route or else they have a meltdown? What about the kid who can’t wear the mask because it literally causes them pain because of the sensory issues?”
These people end up feeling ashamed and stigmatized, Gosse says, as they are stopped at the doors, expected to explain, get stared at or receive comments from strangers.
“If you are comfortable wearing a mask, wear a mask, we would encourage that,” Gosse said. “But also have some compassion and understanding that there are people out there who just can’t. And because they can’t wear a mask doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have access to grocery stores, to pharmacies, to doctors, to all of the basic human rights."
The Network of Disability Organizations, a group of 18 non-profit organizations that focus on different disabilities, has come together for a new poster campaign to raise awareness of this issue.
“Be Kind — not everyone can wear a mask,” the poster reads in bold yellow and white letters against a pink background.
The posters are in the offices of those organizations. They have also been distributed to municipalities across the province.
“(But) it would be great to see them in stores because that’s where we get a lot of that conflict,” Gosse said.
Respecting others
Putting her granddaughter aboard her car for a trip to the store is one of the things Rose Janes loves to do. But three weeks ago, the 41-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with leukemia and her life has changed dramatically.
The leukemia has caused the oxygen levels in her blood to be so low that she can wear a mask for only a short period of time.
“I can wear it until I get away from the crowd, then I can take it down,” Janes said. “You get a lot of stares. I shouldn’t have to deal with it. My daughter shouldn’t have to deal with it, either. Just show respect to other people.”
At a news conference on Tuesday, Health Minister Dr. John Haggie said compassion and courtesy would be the two words he would start with regarding the issue.
“For those people who truly cannot, for whatever reason, wear a mask, there is the option not to do so,” Haggie said. “There is no script or playbook for that, and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a history of treating their fellow men and women kindly.”
Business owners still have the ability to ask for an explanation from someone, he said.
“The mask requirement is there in the special measures order, but we do acknowledge that there are some individuals for whom that may not be possible to comply (with), for reasons of disability or for reasons of health.”
