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How Do You Sign ‘Don’t Drink Bleach’? | How Do You Sign ‘Don’t Drink Bleach’? |
(3 days later) | |
SACRAMENTO — “Coronavirus” is one fist nestled against and behind the other, then opened, fingers spread like a sunburst or a peacock tail. | SACRAMENTO — “Coronavirus” is one fist nestled against and behind the other, then opened, fingers spread like a sunburst or a peacock tail. |
Rorri Burton demonstrates via FaceTime, her sturdy hands and bare nails even cleaner than she usually scrubs them. The gesture is almost pretty compared to, say, “serological testing,” which, as she translates it, goes: “Pricked finger, test, analyze, see. Person before had coronavirus inside body? Doesn’t matter. Feels sick? Not feels sick? Doesn’t matter.” | Rorri Burton demonstrates via FaceTime, her sturdy hands and bare nails even cleaner than she usually scrubs them. The gesture is almost pretty compared to, say, “serological testing,” which, as she translates it, goes: “Pricked finger, test, analyze, see. Person before had coronavirus inside body? Doesn’t matter. Feels sick? Not feels sick? Doesn’t matter.” |
“Yeah, it’s a lot,” Ms. Burton, a 43-year-old sign language interpreter who regularly appears with Los Angeles County officials, said last week, laughing. She joked that “a lot” could be the story of her life these days. | “Yeah, it’s a lot,” Ms. Burton, a 43-year-old sign language interpreter who regularly appears with Los Angeles County officials, said last week, laughing. She joked that “a lot” could be the story of her life these days. |
Ms. Burton, a freelancer whose work usually prizes discretion, has recently joined an increasingly visible pantheon of essential workers: the people gesticulating on television and in internet live streams beside the governors and public health officers communicating the mighty struggle to stop the spread of the coronavirus. | Ms. Burton, a freelancer whose work usually prizes discretion, has recently joined an increasingly visible pantheon of essential workers: the people gesticulating on television and in internet live streams beside the governors and public health officers communicating the mighty struggle to stop the spread of the coronavirus. |
Hired to help satisfy an Americans With Disabilities Act requirement to provide “functionally equivalent” communication for people who are deaf or have hearing problems, interpreters — “terps” in the parlance — adhere to a professional code that requires them to avoid attention and focus on the often-marginalized clients who need them. | Hired to help satisfy an Americans With Disabilities Act requirement to provide “functionally equivalent” communication for people who are deaf or have hearing problems, interpreters — “terps” in the parlance — adhere to a professional code that requires them to avoid attention and focus on the often-marginalized clients who need them. |
But as the pandemic has ground on, punctuated by round-the-clock health briefings, interpreters also have found themselves, uncomfortably, in the restless sights of a cooped-up American public, even as they are forced to ad-lib a whole new vocabulary of crisis. | But as the pandemic has ground on, punctuated by round-the-clock health briefings, interpreters also have found themselves, uncomfortably, in the restless sights of a cooped-up American public, even as they are forced to ad-lib a whole new vocabulary of crisis. |
Reddit rabbit holes have cropped up for Georgia’s Letterman-bearded official state interpreter, David Cowan. Marla Berkowitz, an interpreter for Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, has Facebook fan pages. | Reddit rabbit holes have cropped up for Georgia’s Letterman-bearded official state interpreter, David Cowan. Marla Berkowitz, an interpreter for Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio, has Facebook fan pages. |
When Virginia Moore, the interpreter for the governor of Kentucky, threw up her hands in reflected disgust at the phrase “coronavirus parties,” the HBO comedian John Oliver aired a tribute. “Truly that gesture speaks for America right now,” he declared, laughing. “GIF that woman immediately.” | When Virginia Moore, the interpreter for the governor of Kentucky, threw up her hands in reflected disgust at the phrase “coronavirus parties,” the HBO comedian John Oliver aired a tribute. “Truly that gesture speaks for America right now,” he declared, laughing. “GIF that woman immediately.” |
Interpreters also have spurred disability rights groups who keep asking, in vain, why televised briefings by the White House coronavirus task force aren’t being interpreted live for deaf viewers. More than 11 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates. | Interpreters also have spurred disability rights groups who keep asking, in vain, why televised briefings by the White House coronavirus task force aren’t being interpreted live for deaf viewers. More than 11 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates. |
A White House official said Sunday that the idea of providing an interpreter had been explored but that captioning the video was already required by law. Many deaf people and their advocates say that is insufficient because captioning often has glitches and is added belatedly, and because the physical medium of American Sign Language is their clearest and most broadly understood form of communication. | A White House official said Sunday that the idea of providing an interpreter had been explored but that captioning the video was already required by law. Many deaf people and their advocates say that is insufficient because captioning often has glitches and is added belatedly, and because the physical medium of American Sign Language is their clearest and most broadly understood form of communication. |
“Millions of people in the U.S. who are deaf or hard of hearing use American Sign Language to obtain the vital information the taskforce provides,” Neil Romano, chairman of the National Council on Disability, wrote in a March 18 letter to Stephanie Grisham, who at the time was the White House press secretary. | “Millions of people in the U.S. who are deaf or hard of hearing use American Sign Language to obtain the vital information the taskforce provides,” Neil Romano, chairman of the National Council on Disability, wrote in a March 18 letter to Stephanie Grisham, who at the time was the White House press secretary. |
“The NAD has received daily complaints from deaf and hard of hearing citizens across the country asking why their president is not ensuring they are getting the same access to emergency information as everyone else,” echoed Howard A. Rosenblum, the chief executive for the National Association of the Deaf. | “The NAD has received daily complaints from deaf and hard of hearing citizens across the country asking why their president is not ensuring they are getting the same access to emergency information as everyone else,” echoed Howard A. Rosenblum, the chief executive for the National Association of the Deaf. |
Mr. Rosenblum said that “the White House has still to this date not provided an ASL interpreter for any of their coronavirus press briefings.” | Mr. Rosenblum said that “the White House has still to this date not provided an ASL interpreter for any of their coronavirus press briefings.” |
He acknowledged that a gap in federal law had made it legally difficult to compel the White House to go beyond captioning, as states have. “But it is a moral imperative,” he said, “especially when every person must know what to do to avoid infecting everyone else.” | He acknowledged that a gap in federal law had made it legally difficult to compel the White House to go beyond captioning, as states have. “But it is a moral imperative,” he said, “especially when every person must know what to do to avoid infecting everyone else.” |
President Trump has indicated that he is backing away from the briefings, saying they are no longer worth his time. | President Trump has indicated that he is backing away from the briefings, saying they are no longer worth his time. |
Into this whirl has come Ms. Burton, a Chicago-born former teacher of K-12 deaf children who agreed on March 13 to help interpret public health news briefings for Los Angeles County. The local updates, usually right after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s noon briefings, have become must-see viewing as infections have soared in the county to 42,425 cases, with 1,677 deaths. “I didn’t know the scope of what I was getting into,” Ms. Burton says. | Into this whirl has come Ms. Burton, a Chicago-born former teacher of K-12 deaf children who agreed on March 13 to help interpret public health news briefings for Los Angeles County. The local updates, usually right after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s noon briefings, have become must-see viewing as infections have soared in the county to 42,425 cases, with 1,677 deaths. “I didn’t know the scope of what I was getting into,” Ms. Burton says. |
A whole new lexicon has come with this pandemic, often requiring on-the-fly interpretation: “bend the curve,” “personal protective equipment” and “social distance” — the term Americans have adopted for keeping clear of friends, neighbors and strangers alike. | A whole new lexicon has come with this pandemic, often requiring on-the-fly interpretation: “bend the curve,” “personal protective equipment” and “social distance” — the term Americans have adopted for keeping clear of friends, neighbors and strangers alike. |
Then there is a new phrase that was widely circulated as a precaution after Mr. Trump raised some unorthodox, and potentially dangerous, suggestions about potential virus treatments: “Don’t drink Clorox.” | Then there is a new phrase that was widely circulated as a precaution after Mr. Trump raised some unorthodox, and potentially dangerous, suggestions about potential virus treatments: “Don’t drink Clorox.” |
“I don’t know how I’m going to do that one,” Ms. Burton said, bemused. “I’ll probably have to spell ‘bleach,’ and then for clarity sign ‘use for laundry, makes clothes white, smells bad — don’t drink and don’t put on your body.’” | “I don’t know how I’m going to do that one,” Ms. Burton said, bemused. “I’ll probably have to spell ‘bleach,’ and then for clarity sign ‘use for laundry, makes clothes white, smells bad — don’t drink and don’t put on your body.’” |
Ms. Burton, the only girl in a family of eight children, said she had learned to sign because her mother thought signing was a beautiful language. She was 13 before she met someone who was actually deaf, a 6-year-old girl she tutored, setting the stage for her eventual career. | Ms. Burton, the only girl in a family of eight children, said she had learned to sign because her mother thought signing was a beautiful language. She was 13 before she met someone who was actually deaf, a 6-year-old girl she tutored, setting the stage for her eventual career. |
High-profile interpreters are plentiful in California — Molly Bowen and Marlowe Wilson, who tirelessly sign “meet the moment” and “nation-state” in Mr. Newsom’s daily live streams; and Rick Pope, who conveyed Mayor Eric Garcetti’s despair to an empty City Hall in one memorable address. | High-profile interpreters are plentiful in California — Molly Bowen and Marlowe Wilson, who tirelessly sign “meet the moment” and “nation-state” in Mr. Newsom’s daily live streams; and Rick Pope, who conveyed Mayor Eric Garcetti’s despair to an empty City Hall in one memorable address. |
Updated June 12, 2020 | |
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | |
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
But as the crisis mounted, it was Ms. Burton’s down-to-earth delivery that mesmerized viewers, and Los Angeles has given her the full showbiz treatment. | But as the crisis mounted, it was Ms. Burton’s down-to-earth delivery that mesmerized viewers, and Los Angeles has given her the full showbiz treatment. |
The celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has set her moves to music. Marlee Matlin, an Oscar-winning actress who is deaf, defended her on Instagram after the comedian David Spade called her “Covid-19” interpretation “kooky.” Social media has seized on her Gwen Stefani glasses. | The celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has set her moves to music. Marlee Matlin, an Oscar-winning actress who is deaf, defended her on Instagram after the comedian David Spade called her “Covid-19” interpretation “kooky.” Social media has seized on her Gwen Stefani glasses. |
The attention is “unwanted and unexpected,” said Ms. Burton, who rents a home down the freeway in Long Beach, but it also offers an opportunity to educate. She is one of very few black women in her field. “It’s not about me,” she said, “but there needs to be more people like me, doing what I do.” | The attention is “unwanted and unexpected,” said Ms. Burton, who rents a home down the freeway in Long Beach, but it also offers an opportunity to educate. She is one of very few black women in her field. “It’s not about me,” she said, “but there needs to be more people like me, doing what I do.” |
And she is outraged at the absence of live interpreters in the White House briefing room. | And she is outraged at the absence of live interpreters in the White House briefing room. |
“You would never say to a person in a wheelchair, ‘Oh, there’s no ramp for you, you’ll just have to crawl up the stairs of the White House,’” she said. “But deaf people are denied interpreters every day.” | “You would never say to a person in a wheelchair, ‘Oh, there’s no ramp for you, you’ll just have to crawl up the stairs of the White House,’” she said. “But deaf people are denied interpreters every day.” |
That sensibility is part of what has made Ms. Burton a favorite among the people sheltering in place in diverse Southern California. | That sensibility is part of what has made Ms. Burton a favorite among the people sheltering in place in diverse Southern California. |
“This is important and we are getting wrong information — we don’t know what’s a rumor and what’s not,” said Ashlea Hayes, a black, deaf 33-year-old sign language teacher in Compton, Calif., who spoke by phone through an interpreter on a video relay service. “To see someone like myself on TV, I just get goose bumps — you just want to jump for joy.” | “This is important and we are getting wrong information — we don’t know what’s a rumor and what’s not,” said Ashlea Hayes, a black, deaf 33-year-old sign language teacher in Compton, Calif., who spoke by phone through an interpreter on a video relay service. “To see someone like myself on TV, I just get goose bumps — you just want to jump for joy.” |