CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- If you've watched any of Governor Pritzker's briefings on coronavirus, you've no doubt noticed Michael Albert: the sign-language interpreter for the deaf.
Albert said Monday he used to think he was a man who enjoyed the spotlight. Now, he's not so sure.
"I've been a little bit chagrined at any kind of attention that's been paid to me, personally, because this is really just my job," he said.
Our sign language interpreter, Michael, with a PSA on how to sign Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/oyCJKkibM0
— Anne Caprara (@anacaprana) March 14, 2020Albert says he's also been surprised by some of the comments posted about him after a news conference.
"My eyes are kind of sunken and heavy-lidded. People compared that to Sylvester Stallone," he said. "The Screech thing just came out of nowhere."
That's a reference to the Screech character from the television show "Saved by the Bell."
Albert, a Skokie native, has done sign language interpretation for presidents and mayors, besides Gov. Pritkzer. He also has had the emotionally tough job of interpreting for families who have end-of-life discussions.
This is different: "Making absolutely certain that the information is clear and accurate is so vital. It always is, but certainly in the middle of a pandemic, and I'm interpreting to an audience of people I can't see."
The sign for coronavirus is one hand over the other. Then one hand opens out and extends.
"I usually say, it's like a crown. And it's also like something that's spreading," Albert said.
