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1000 US Deaths in One Day From Coronavirus, Beats Worst Daily Death Toll of the Flu; and a College Student Designs a Special Coronavirus Mask For the Deaf.
A common argument against the severity of coronavirus is that it’s “just the flu,” or that it’s no worse than the flu. As of Wednesday, the coronavirus has proved that it is, in fact, worse than the flu.
The United States has now experienced more than 1,000 deaths from coronavirus in a single day. That number is more than double of two of the most deadly illnesses in America, the flu and lung cancer.
The flu killed an estimated 508 people per day during the 2017-2018 flu season, and this year’s flu season has killed an estimated 383 deaths per day.
Some researchers expect that by mid-April the number could more than double, to 2,200 or more, which would beat out the number one killer in the United States, heart disease. Heart disease kills about 1,772 Americans a day.
Related: Silent Symptoms of Coronavirus Discovered, 39-Year-Old Woman Dies
For the deaf and hard of hearing, being stuck in a hospital surrounded by staff wearing masks can be very frustrating. Just imagine not being able to ‘talk’ to your doctors.
Thanks to 21-year-old Ashley Lawrence, their hospital stays can be a little less confusing, and more open to communication.
“I just saw that people were making masks on Facebook for everyone to have instead of the throwaway masks, and I was like, what about the deaf and hard of hearing population?” explained Lawrence.
“I felt like there was a huge population that was being looked over. We’re all panicking right now and so a lot of people are just not being thought of,” said Lawrence.
“So, I felt like it was very important that, even at a time like this, people need to have that communication.”
After speaking with her mother about her concerns, the two of them got to work on creating special masks that would allow the deaf and hard of hearing to better communicate with their doctors.
“We started out making them with bedsheets that we had, and luckily, bed sheets are big. So we have two or three sets so we’re making them out of that.”
“Then a couple months ago we needed plastic fabric for something. And so we have a whole roll of that, and the window is only this big so having a whole roll is very helpful. So luckily we haven’t needed any supplies yet.”
Not only is Lawrence focusing on the deaf and hard of hearing, but she is also trying to help people with other disabilities. It isn’t as easy as picking up cellphones to reach a loved one when you’re dealing with the coronavirus.
“We’re trying different things for people with cochlear implants and hearing aids if they can’t wrap around the ears. We’re making some that have around the head and around the neck,” she explained.
It took less than two days for Lawrence to receive dozens of orders from six different states.
“I’m not charging anything for them because I think that if you need them, then you need them and I don’t think that you should have to pay for them,” said Lawrence.
“So we are sending them out for free whenever have people asking for them and if they’re foreign, then maybe we’ll charge shipping, but other than that they’re completely free.
If you’d like to order a mask from Lawrence, you can reach her at dhhmaskproject@gmail.com.
Related: Health Insurers Waiving All Costs Related to COVID-19 Treatment
