Gov. Doug Ducey did not wear a mask at a press conference Monday. And when asked why, he said he would not wear a mask while answering questions out of courtesy for the deaf community.
"I've heard from the deaf community that in addition to our skilled sign folks that they sometimes read lips," he said. "So, as a courtesy to them, while I'm answering questions, I'm going to have the mask off."
Ducey was the only one at the event not wearing a mask. Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ kept her mask on even while speaking as did other speakers.
In fact, the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has not advocated for anyone to go without a mask.
In July, Executive Director Sherri Collins told to KJZZ’s “The Show," “We do not want people to take their mask off, but we would like you to let people to think about other alternative communication options, such as clear masks is what we have launched in Arizona.”
The commission has provided clear masks to Arizonans upon request.
"Everybody wanted to get their hands on the clear masks which we tried to get, and they were sold out," Collins said in July. "Now that the company that we procured, those clear masks have their back inventories so they have enough supplies.
An American Sign Language interpreter is present at each of the governor’s public appearances. Collins also recommended making transcripts of verbal meetings and events available to the public.
