About a year ago, masks were an uncommon accessory in many parts of society. However, they became the norm around the world and impacted in-person and interpersonal communication as a result of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Pat Garner, professor of communication, said masks have served as a hindrance to communication, concealing important parts of the face people use to help understand one another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen two people are communicating with each other, they are imitating each other\u2019s behavior on a subconscious level,\u201d Garner said. \u201cThis is because we have mirror neurons, which enable us to mirror other people\u2019s behavior. The effect of that is that it makes our communication more effective. It bonds us to other people more \u2026 In order to imitate someone, you have to see.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garner said the most difficult problems people face when communicating with masks are understanding what people are saying, knowing how they are feeling and recognizing a new person without a mask. They also hide smiles, which are one of the primary means of communication for women, even more so than men, Garner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior Sydney Bryant said the lack of ability to communicate facial expressions is the most difficult part about wearing a mask, also noting that face coverings sometimes necessitate repetition of words, which can become exhausting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have a nice smile \u2014 I\u2019ve been told,\u201d Bryant said. \u201cYou can smile at people and be friendly, and now whenever you\u2019re passing somebody you can\u2019t even smile at them. They can\u2019t tell you\u2019re smiling at them. It just looks like you\u2019re squinting at them. I think that\u2019s been one of the more difficult things for me: not being able to smile.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a Dec. 9, 2020, research publication, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) said the middle and lower face are seen as very influential in emotional recognition. Since masks cover these sections, people will tend to shift more of their focus to the eyes, the NCBI said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the challenges masks produce, Garner said people can overcome them, noting that the most common method people use to compensate for masks is entering situations in which mask removal is possible, such as being with a roommate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a coping measure during interpersonal communication, the NCBI said people can utilize the upper face, exercise nonverbal communication, talk louder and slower in quieter settings, and face their communication partners directly along with paying them more attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople can express their ideas using hand gestures to facilitate the communication process,\u201d the NCBI said. \u201cNonverbal communications are essential in facilitating the communication process, have a vast influence on the social environment, and can come in different forms, such as facial expressions, body movements and eye messages, which can support or substitute verbal communication.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garner said though masks and social distancing have helped people stay safe from COVID-19, they cumber social interaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSocial interaction is absolutely crucial to well-being, physiologically and psychologically,\u201d Garner said. \u201cThings that will hinder and restrict natural interaction are going to be injurious to the person. It\u2019s psychologically and it is physiologically harmful.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Masks may not be an impediment to communication much longer, as signs of society moving away from face coverings have appeared and COVID-19 numbers have decreased. Some states such as North Dakota, Iowa and Texas have already removed their mask mandates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI look forward to the time when we will get rid of these masks,\u201d Garner said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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