The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2021 - 17

again thanks to the protection

hold and accepting only

purpose. Remote work will

the vaccine offers!

translation assignments.

continue to be a part of

was based on being over

To schedule my vaccine

My chance to get inoculated

the post-pandemic world,

the age of 65. At the time,

appointment, I showed one

for essential personnel in

expanding opportunities for

medical interpreters, through

of my clients-a medical

Indiana, I immediately

translators and interpreters

concerted advocacy, were

interpreting agency-both

confirmed through the

to act as communication

gaining recognition as a

ATA's letter to the CDC and

health care system that I

intermediaries.

priority group, but most

UTIA's statement confirming

would qualify since I provide

judicial interpreters could

that in-person medical

medical interpreting services.

not yet qualify. Los Angeles

interpreters qualified as

They were very welcoming

County, where I live, has

health care workers in Utah.

when I registered. Language

now lost at least three

My client then issued a letter

services are essential at any

criminal court interpreters

as proof of my eligibility. I

time, and this pandemic

to COVID-19: Sergio Cafaro,

had to show that letter and

will confirm to society

Daniel Felix, and 49-year-

my identification badge

how important it is for any

at the pharmacy where I

human to communicate

got the vaccine. Nobody

in their language, to be

questioned me or asked for

understood, and to be able to

additional proof.

express themselves.

I'm very grateful for

When vaccinations started

I think of how medical

the advocacy efforts of

records from around

ATA and UTIA on behalf

the world detailing the

of medical interpreters. As
health care workers, we
shouldn't be risking our
health without protecting
ourselves accordingly. After a
challenging year, I'm happy
that work will continue to
pick up thanks to this vaccine.
I've even decided to become a
certified medical interpreter
to continue to give more to
my community!

observance of COVID
symptoms and the evolution
of the virus can contribute
to science. Patients'
experiences (narrated in their
language) are also essential
for advancing studies about
the virus. I imagine many
doctors trying to get relevant
information from patients
and the patients being unable
to describe their symptoms
due to a language barrier.
One positive change we'll
see after the pandemic is the
rising demand in language
services. There will also
be increased importance
as a freelancer to be part

María Rosana Mestre
Avon, Indiana

of an association like ATA,
advocating for our rights
when the time comes. As

old Policarpo Chaj. The

Madeline Rios
Claremont, California

simple fact is that on-site
interpreters work in closer
proximity to people than

As a certified translator

occurs in general human

and interpreter, I've had

interactions. And whether at

the good fortune of being

a hospital, in a courtroom,

able to mostly work from

or at a jail, the population

home during the pandemic.
Unfortunately, mostly doesn't
mean always.

population.

worked on in the federal

I urge my colleagues to get

court system since prior

vaccinated as soon as possible

to the COVID-19 crisis still

and urge our professional

have a need for on-site

associations to keep raising

interpreting, in particular at
corrections facilities. Though,

their voice in advocacy.

as a freelancer, I can turn
down such assignments, I
have, in fact, worked from
time to time at institutions
plagued by the virus. I've
taken precautions, donning
two masks plus a face shield

Jennifer Santiagos
Garden Grove, California

long before Dr. Anthony
Fauci so advised the public.
Yet my family and friends

I'm a freelance certified

take little comfort in my

health care interpreter based

assurances that many new

freelancers, we love freedom

safety precautions are now in

interpreter, getting the

and working remotely, and

place. Indeed, my reports to

vaccine was a huge relief for

being part of a network

my loved ones conveniently

me. In my family, we were

of fellow interpreters and

leave out minor details, such

concerned about my mother

translators makes it easier for

as a defendant's mask that

who lives with us. (She is

the profession.

constantly slipped down

We're in a globalized

incidence of exposure
than is seen in the general

Some of the cases I've

As a sworn translator and

68 with a heart condition.)

they work with has a higher

in Orange County, California.
I've been interpreting
professionally for more
than 11 years. I also work in
immigration, community,
and legal settings.
A few days before

below his mustache, or the

Christmas 2020, after

When the pandemic began,

society, where you can have

time when I was informed

emailing ATA's letter to

I decided to reduce the

a work conference from

at the last minute that an

the CDC to my county's

risk to her by putting my

anywhere with people around

interviewee was currently

vaccine task force and

interpreting services on

the world with a common

under quarantine.

mentioning that I serve on

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