Abstract
Interpersonal communication has been severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective measures, such as social distancing and face masks, are essential to mitigate efforts against the virus, but pose challenges on daily face-to-face communication. Face masks, particularly, muffle sounds and cover facial expressions that ease comprehension during live communication. Here, we explore the role of facial expressions in communication and we highlight how the face mask can hinder interpersonal connection. In addition, we offer coping strategies and skills that can ease communication with face masks as we navigate the current and any future pandemic.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the way people communicate with each other
The need for face masks, as an important protective measure to decrease the spread of the virus, had a huge toll on interpersonal communication
Facial expressions and gestures play a major role in facilitating interpersonal communication, comprehension, and the delivery of intended messages
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the way people communicate with each other. As such, wearing face masks hindered the ability of seeing and understanding people’s expressions during conversations, and decreased the impact of communicated material. In this piece, we explore the role of facial expressions in communication and we highlight how the face mask can affect it. Face masks eliminate the roles of the middle and lower face in emotional expression, rendering its action units invisible to the receiving individual (Figure 1). Facial expressions involving the mouth, lips, teeth, and nose are masked during interpersonal communication. Research must take into account the cultural differences in communication and the impact of face masks on different societal groups
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