Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) A face mask manufacturer donated 20,000 partially transparent masks to the National Theater and Concert Hall and several other groups Thursday, to help those who suffer from hearing loss better communicate at a time when face coverings have become part of everyday life under COVID-19.
Taiwan Comfort Champ Manufacturing Co. made the donation during a ceremony held at the National Theater in Taipei, saying this is the company's first step to promote the mask, which has a transparent plastic piece at the center making it possible to see the wearer's mouth.
According to the company, the plastic is made with a coating that prevent the wearers' breath from clouding it.
With the help of the Taiwan Textile Research Institute and NCM Nonwoven Converting Machinery Co., the mask manufacturer said it has developed automated production and can produce 10,000 masks a day.
The National Theater and Concert Hall said they are planning to roll out the masks among front house and ticket office staff, but no start date has been given.
Other groups and institutions to receive the masks include the Dandelion Hearing and Language Association, which was involved in the development process, the Children Charity Association, Chiayi City Education Department, Taipei School for the Hearing Impaired, the Taiwanese Association of Sign Language Interpreters and the Taoyuan City Sound Shine Association.
According to Taiwan Comfort Champ, it plans to sell the face masks to targeted businesses and groups at an early discount before the product officially reaches the market in April.
The price of the specially designed mask is expected to be somewhere between NT$8-$13 (US$0.29-$0.46) per piece, the company added.
