03:07  
Donna  
During this time of COVID-19, well we used to be able to go out with friends and socialize. We can't do that anymore. It's very difficult to keep in touch with each other. How are you managing that?

Debi  
Well thank God for video phones! I can't imagine what I'd do if there wasn't technology. Can you imagine if we were experiencing COVID-19 before we had video phones? The impact that would be? We're very fortunate to have that technology today. So sometimes I'll chat on the video phone with my friends. It's much easier sometimes to just stay in your PJs, have a cup of tea and when you're done, you're done! You just click the device off! It used to be that I would go out and meet up with friends from time to time. Sometimes we'd meet in person, every once in a while. Especially my best friend. We'd maybe go out to a restaurant or something like that. But I haven't been able to do that in quite some time now. I'm actually pretty excited because we're moving into the green phase tomorrow! And I can see that there are some restaurants near me that are offering outdoor seating! So maybe I will meet somebody tomorrow or sometime this weekend. But thank God for the technology of video phones. The only person that I haven't seen and won't see is my mother. I used to see her from time to time, but my mother is old. I don't like the thought that I may risk exposing her because of the people I come in contact with when I am working out in the community. If something were to happen to her because I me, I couldn't live with that.

04:42  
Donna  
How do you stay in touch with your mother now?

Debi  
Through the video phone, text or video message. The same is true of my daughter. I've talked with my daughter and we've agreed to meet only outside, keeping socially distant from each other. Maybe take a walk together, maintaining social distancing or sitting out on the front porch again at a good distance. I want to hug her very much, but I really can't. So, we have to rely on air hugs!

05:11  
Donna  
So now you are home most of the time all by yourself. How are you managing that?

Debi
I love it! It's so peaceful. There's no traffic to deal with. Nothing! When I have to drive to the press conferences there are no other cars on the road. Recently, traffic has started to pick up a little bit. I don't miss that. I've been able to catch up on a lot of things at home. I used to put things off because by the time I got home from work I was too tired. But now that I'm working from home, I have the energy to do so many things after work and I've caught up on so much. It's amazing! I really love staying home. I hope I can do more of it. That's one of the changes I really want to keep after this time is over.

06:10  
Donna  
OK I'm going to turn it over to Brian now!

Brian  
You've talked about this a little bit already, how are you maintaining your connections with your friends, family and community? You were just speaking before about technology. Can you talk about the different kinds of technology that are helpful to you?

Debi 
Mostly FaceTime! If a friend has an Apple device and I do too, we can use FaceTime. But if they don't have an Apple device then we can use the Video Phone, the VP. I really like using FaceTime. You can also leave a video message in ASL which is much less cumbersome than having to type my message out in English. I much prefer to leave my message in ASL and then they can send me a message back in ASL. That's a good way to use my time well. I can do what I need to do and then check the message when it's a good time for me. So that's nice. I'd say those two most frequently; FaceTime and the video phone, but mostly FaceTime.

07:16  
Brian 
As a Deaf person you're used to communicating on a video screen through either FaceTime or a video phone. Do you prefer communicating that way or do you prefer communicating face to face? What's best for you?

Debi
Both. The video phone is very nice and convenient. But it's also nice to see people in person because you can feel their vibes. It's nice, but not what I prefer every day. Sometimes it's nice to meet in person but the video phone is also a great option. I have to say I like them both.

 

We have to reach out and tell people 'I miss you and I'm thinking of you'...I think more people are more deeply connected than in the past. This is something I've noticed.

 

08:01  
Brian
When do you feel the most connected with people? In this time when we're staying home so much how do you keep that connection going?

Debi  
I've noticed that people are more connected these days. I think maybe because they have more time, because they're staying home. Like I said before about having time to reflect and realize you need to stay in touch with people. When we're busy with work and responsibilities we're really not thinking about those things but now I've realized, "hey, I've been bad with that." We have to reach out and tell people I miss you and I'm thinking of you. A friend reached out to me recently to tell me that and I thought, yea... so I think more people are more deeply connected than in the past. This is something I've noticed.

08:51  
Brian
Do you feel, or are you hoping to maintain that connection after COVID-19 goes away and we can stop socially distancing?

Debi  
It would be really nice to see, but I doubt it will happen. I think initially people will try but, ultimately, they will lose that connection. I hope not. I know I will do my best to stay in touch. I will continue to try.

09:19  
Brian  
Now I'll turn it over to Donna

Donna
I want to talk about some of the challenges you've experienced. Challenges to access medical care, challenges to access needs for your education and professional challenges. Can you speak a little on that?

Debi 
OK. Well, for work, I'm able to work virtually from home so I'm not really experiencing challenges there. No that's not true. There are challenges in using the technology. With many people on a Zoom screen sometimes the boxes can get very small and it can be difficult to see each other. It can be hard to get someone's attention. That can be a challenge. Maybe the technology goes down or you have to make some adjustments. It's not always easy. But if you can be patient, when it works, it's very nice. What was the second part of your question? I forget.

Donna
Access to medical care.

Debi  
No, I can call the doctor virtually and I can talk to them as though I were in their office in person. But what's nice, now, is that I have a Sign Language interpreter more easily available virtually. Sorenson has a new program, an App called Wavello or something. You can see your doctor with it. It's really nice. I haven't tried it yet, but I imagine next time I'll ask my doctor to use the App so I can talk to them face to face. Before I would speak to them virtually through an interpreter. Most of the time, if I were to see a doctor in person, I wouldn't request an interpreter. I would just write back and forth with the doctor. So, the virtual option is very nice. I haven't had issues with medical settings. Now if I had to go to the hospital for an emergency or something, then I don't know. Well I haven't experienced that yet, but I imagine that would be much more difficult!

In terms of school, that hasn't been my experience. But I have friends who are teachers and they told me that in the beginning it was really difficult trying to manage the technology. Teachers were working together to figure out which technologies and which programs were the best to use but it's come a long way. Some are using blackboards in their backgrounds to present to their students along with a host of different strategies. My teacher friends tell me that they really enjoy working from home! Because once the class is over it's just a click away and they're done. All homework is done and submitted online so it's a much faster and efficient process. But it's not a personal experience I can speak to. What was the next topic? I think I missed one.

11:56  
Donna  
Just generally challenges you've experienced

Debi 
In general, for me, I really don't go out much. I tend to stay home except to go to the food store where I practice social distancing. But I really like being home. If I go to the grocery store - more and more are opening up these days - and someone tries to talk to me, the real challenge is trying to understand someone who is wearing a mask because I can only see the top half of their face. I have to gesture that I'm Deaf and ask them to take their mask down so I can see their face. Most people are willing to do so while maintaining social distancing so I can see their face and try to communicate with them. That's a real challenge that myself and many of my friends who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are experiencing. It's very difficult to communicate with people who are wearing masks. It's very frustrating.

12:41  
Donna
That actually leads to my next questions. In terms of PPE, Masks and face shields how is that impacting your life and your work? Can you talk a little more about that?

Debi  
Well, I'm working from home. I'm not really working on site yet. Next week I am supposed to work on site so that will be interesting to see. When I work at the press conferences, they have strict protocols, so I feel safe working there. When you enter the building, you have to have your temperature checked. They have this technology that uses a camera on each side of you to automatically check your temperature. You stand there and it automatically reads your temperature. If you pass, you're given a wrist band that means you're ok to enter. Then I can enter the building. They don't allow a lot of people in the building at a time. Very few are able to enter, and everyone practices strict social distancing when they're standing in front of each other or passing each other in the hall. Everyone wears masks. It's really very nice in there. They have hand sanitizer everywhere. People keep separated.

13:58  
Donna  
That makes me think of something else. You're comfortable because you're working virtually at home or at press conferences where you don't have to interact with a lot of people. But what will make you feel like you're ready to get out there and work in the community again? In a hospital settings or other community settings?

Debi
I feel like COVID-19 is unavoidable. It's here to stay. It's not going anywhere. Not for a long time. I hope I don't get it. Maybe I've already gotten it. Maybe I'm just asymptomatic. I don't know. Working on site will depend on the specific job.

Donna 
It will depend on what?

Debi 
Well, working in Doctor's offices? I don't know. I'd have to know the reason for the doctor's appointment. I'd have to know that it's not a ‘sick' appointment. Maybe it's a check-up or for kidney problems. Something like that. So, I'm not sure about doctor visits or hospital settings. I think I'm going to avoid those setting because that's where sick people go to get help. But other settings are possible. Court is a setting I might consider. I have to get out. We have to. We can't hide from COVID.

15:32  
Donna  
Let me turn it over to Brian.

Brian  
We have been talking about COVID-19 and how we're dealing with it today. But looking into the future, when, hopefully, COVID -19 is resolved, what do you think your life will look like? How will it be the same as it is today? And how will it look different in the future? Things that you have learned from this experience that you'll do differently after it's resolved. What does the future look like after COVID-19?

Debi  
Like I said, I do believe COVID-19 is here to stay, but I believe we will have built up herd immunity. There will be less spread down the road. Not right now, but I think we'll be fine later. Unless, of course, a new virus comes in. I'm a Biologist. Virology is one of my favorite topics I studied in school. I studied it and I loved virology. I find it fascinating how they work. It amazes me! These teeny tiny little organisms are like little machines inside. They are amazing the way they take advantage of our cells to make more virus unbeknownst to us. Like sheep in wolves clothing. Our cells have no idea that this virus has penetrated them. It's amazing. But in the future, I hope it won't be as serious as it is now.

I think that things will change. Like after 911. After 911 it was never the same again. Rules and security for airports changed, rules for schools and public places needed to change and did change. I think the same will happen after COVID-19 is resolved. People realize now that they can work from home. Why should I have to drive so much if I can just work from home? We can save money and time and help the environment. There are so many savings. Companies are also realizing they don't need to spend all this money on office space for employees. They can save a tremendous amount of money. A lot of workers and their work will change. I think people will change as well. I've been reading that some people have realized, as they're staying home, how much money they were spending and how much money they're now saving. They don't need so many things! And they realize they've just been spending money randomly. I'm saving a lot of money myself in that way! There's only one store I miss, just one store. I don't care about the others, but I miss Good Will. I love Good Will! You can get a ton of stuff for $20 or $25! I just love Good Will. You can find treasures. But I don't really miss much else.

So, I think things will change, they won't stay the same. For me I think I'll continue to work from home more and stay home more. I'll do a lot less driving. I think traffic will get better and people should work together to try to stay home more. To try to use less energy, impact the Earth less and let it have a chance to rest. To let the animals have more land and coexist better in the future. I hope to see that more in the future.

19:15  
Brian  
We've talked about this a little bit, but let's go into it a little bit more. You mentioned that you are an interpreter. How has your work, and the community response created more opportunities for you? more opportunities for work? You were saying before that your schedule was always changing and unpredictable. But now you have a more regular predictable schedule. What will that impact be on your schedule moving forward? In terms of the work you've been doing since COVID-19?

Debi 
I think today more and more places lack the resource of having available CDIs (Certified Deaf Interpreters). But because we can now work virtually, they can reach out to CDIs. I've had different states and other agencies reach out to me and offer me work virtually. That has been a great gain for the Deaf community who live in areas that don't have CDIs! I feel that this will bring more opportunity to those agencies and locations because they can bring in CDI's from other areas. That's a tremendous benefit! Before COVID I would have to fly to those areas, travel long distances and leave my dogs. I'd miss my babies and have to fly so far. Having to deal with airports and travel is such a hassle! And for just a short amount of work it cost them so much money. The virtual option is a wonderful idea.

20:58  
Brian  
Related to that, and the additional work for Deaf interpreters, how should this crisis impact disability law, disability requirements and advocacy? Including policy?

Debi
I know in Pennsylvania, the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) has been reaching out to news organizations, asking hearing people who use their voices to be considerate of Deaf people. Asking them to pull down their masks when Deaf people are trying to communicate with them. To be considerate of that. There has been a big impact in that way on the Deaf community and the Hard of Hearing community as well. But I can't speak to other disability groups. There has been a direct impact, not only to Deaf people. I think this impact has really reached everyone all over the world in different ways. Your frustrations and my frustrations might be different, but we've all been impacted in some way.

 

I feel that this is a breakthrough moment. I'm hopeful that the accessibility we're seeing right now will continue and not be phased out.

 

22:07  
Brian  
It's interesting and a little sad, but there had been such an effort to try and get interpreters in place for press conferences. Specifically, it should be Deaf interpreters. But it really took healthy people dying to finally get those interpreters in place. To make it happen. It's sad but...

Debi
This has been a breakthrough moment! Historically we've had many barriers to access. Other states have successfully provided access, but not Pennsylvania. We've been waiting for this opportunity. The director of ODHH has assertively reached out into the community regarding this need. I really have to praise her. I'm so grateful for her hard work getting the word out about the needs for accessibility. We've received so many comments and emails. Deaf people are so thrilled that they finally understand what's being said at these press conferences. Now at the press conferences, Governor Wolf and Dr. Levine realize their comments are crossing over to reach all Deaf people. In the past there were some who couldn't understand but now we all have access, and they realize this is critical. I feel that this is a breakthrough moment. I'm hopeful that the accessibility we're seeing right now will continue and not be phased out.

23:22  
Brian
In addition, I'm not as familiar but it seems that Pennsylvania has done a little bit extra, with your involvement, in a project to create informational videos online in ASL. So, it's not only access to the live press conferences but they've also created these videos, incorporating ASL, to get the word out. Can you talk a little more about that?

Debi  
Yes, again the director of ODHH has been instrumental in requesting those videos be made. She reached out to me and I said, "yes of course." I read over the written text and present the information in ASL. She has received many responses from people letting her know that they can now understand by watching the videos. I thought they might not be utilized but people are in fact watching them. They are being used. I feel this information is very important for people to understand. Press conferences can go very quickly, and information can be lost. I think that's typical for Hearing and Deaf people. But with a video you can get information at your own pace. If you need to you can stop and back up and watch it again so that a person can be fully informed about recommendations like hand washing and social distancing which is important.

24:45  
Brian
Great. Thank you. I'll hand it back over to Donna

Donna
That's awesome. Just awesome. I want to go back to a question I missed earlier. Can you talk about how you get information? How do you find out what's happening? If there is new information?

Debi
Like press conferences? What kind of information?

Donna  
Just for yourself as an individual. If you want to learn how the numbers are trending in PA or new precautions that have been established, where do you get that information?

Debi
Well, I work for the Governor. Or really for the Secretary. I work with Dr. Rachel Levine regularly, so I see her every day and learn about the numbers. I don't really have to watch the news because I'm lucky enough to get it firsthand. However recently they have been cutting back the frequency of the press conferences. It seems that the emergency is scaling back, so they are happening less frequently. So, If I want to know what's happening, I tend to use my weather app on my phone. They have COVID information right there on the app. I can click on it and it will bring up COVID information for my local area. My home area. I can also see what's happening in the county and below that I can see what's happening in the state. So, it's pretty easy for me to access that information from the app on my phone.

26:08  
Donna  
I only have a few more questions. Oh, did you want to say something more?

Debi
Governor Wolf and Dr. Levine have been so lovely to work with. Dr. Levine is a very gentle person. She has welcomed me with warmth. She is so nice and so informative. She's really aware of my needs and how to physically work together. She doesn't try to push me aside and take the spotlight. She's willing to work together for the best interests of everyone. She's just very, very, nice and together we practice social distancing.

26:42  
Donna  
So, when you're working in that environment you feel that you can safely social distance?

Debi
Oh yes. In the beginning it was different. I used to stand right next to the speaker. But as those numbers began to climb, we realized that was no longer safe so I would stand six feet apart. But they actually cut out my image and insert it, so it looks different on the screen. We look like we're standing next to each other but we're not. I'm always six feet away from her.

27:11  
Brian  
The perspective can look odd.

Debi  
Yes. They cut out my image and insert it so that I look like I'm standing right next to her. It's something we've learned from practice, along with wearing masks. The Governor and Dr. Levine both try to set an example by appearing initially with masks and then removing those masks before they speak. They also use hand sanitizer when they come to the podium. Initially they forgot to do so but people expressed their concerns and complaints, so they realize now that that is something they need to model. They have to set an example of cleaning their hands and using masks to show good practices.

27:44  
Donna 
How do you communicate with Dr. Levine?

Debi
We use a sign language interpreter. She interprets for the two of us. She is such a nice woman. So, we stay six feet away and it's been going very well. One little secret I will share with you is that when we are actually standing next to each other, although six feet away, they cut out my image and insert it on the opposite side of where I'm actually standing. So, I have to be careful not to reference her in the wrong direction. I'm inserted opposite to where I'm really standing. She is really to my right not to my left! It used to be so confusing, so I had to draw a picture of a smiley face that I keep on the wall next to me, so I know which way to reference her. It's taken me some time, but I've gotten used to referencing her in the right direction. It was awkward at first.

28:37  
Donna
Interesting how it's evolved over time. Such an interesting process. It really requires teamwork and a lot of mutual respect.

Debi 
Oh yes. They are so nice. They give me the written comments beforehand. But maybe only 10-15 minutes beforehand. Regardless, it's still very, very, helpful. The press have questions they will ask as well. It's a long list of questions that I have to quickly review but any information is helpful to get an idea of what they plan to talk about. That helps my interpretation. It's very important. Some people in the Deaf community have asked me about the fact that I look very relaxed in my interpretation. And I say that I have to because I'm interpreting for the speaker. I have to represent the speaker and she has a soft tone. She doesn't want to scare people and I don't want to scare people with my presentation style. So, we both use a calm presentation style, but I follow her lead.

29:44  
Brian  
And very effectively!

Debi
So it seems. So it seems. I've received may comments from people saying they are so happy to see a deaf interpreter. I am actually a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI). They are really excited. People in NJ are watching what we are doing in PA. And there are other states who are also looking to PA. A friend of mine asked her mother, who watches the Pennsylvania press conference but lives in NJ why she does that. And she replied that the message was so clear with a Deaf interpreter, so she prefers to watch that! It's been really, really, nice. I feel it's really impacted me. I feel like I'm able to provide so much to the Deaf community. They are able to really understand and that makes me feel so good.

30:32  
Donna  
I'm thinking for you, when I was asking you before where you get your information from. Obviously, you get it directly. But for a typical Deaf person if you were to ask the same question of where they get their information from, they would say they get their information from you.

Debi 
Yes, that's true. When the press conferences started back in everyone had to stay out to stay safe. When were back to the yellow phase, some press was allowed back in, but they are very strict and keep the press seating far apart from each other. So only a few people will be in the room at the same time. The other interpreter and I were concerned because that meant we weren't able to get information beforehand. It has to come at us live and some questions don't make sense, so that's much more of a challenge. I really prefer to have that information ahead of time. It's difficult but we're doing ok.

 

I just hope that moving forward things will be better. This year of 2020 so much has happened. I hope this will teach us to be better humans.

 

31:21  
Donna  
I really appreciate how the Deaf community has direct access to important information right now because of the presence of CDIs.

Debi 
Yes. It's available to the wide audience now. Some Deaf people have told me they don't use the closed captioning at all. They just watch the CDI. When there isn't a CDI they might use the sign language interpreter and the captions but with a Deaf interpreter in place they really are able to just watch the interpretation the whole time. It's interesting.

31:52  
Donna
Well I think that's all the questions we have. Thank you for your beautiful answers. Is there anything else you'd like to add? Anything else you feel that's important to mention before we close?

Debi  
I just hope that moving forward things will be better. This year of 2020 so much has happened. I hope this will teach us to be better humans. To be respectful and caring of other people as well as animals. To learn to coexist and to treat each other equally with respect. Everything and everyone, needs to be treated with respect. And I hope we see more of that moving forward. Fingers crossed.

32:36  
Donna
Well I respect you! And thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate you so much.

Brian 
Thanks. You are the best.

Debi
Thank you so much for having me. It's been an honor.

All  
Bye!