Meet Tailyn Kaster, the sign language interpreter who helps deliver Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' coronavirus messages

Tailyn Kaster is used to working in front of big crowds. 

Kaster has worked plays, political rallies and even packed concerts at the Iowa State Fair for Reba McEntire, Def Leppard and Sugarland.

But when Kaster walked into the State Operations Center in Johnston for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ news conference on March 13 and saw a bank of cameras pointed at her, she knew this was different.

Kaster, a sign language interpreter for almost 12 years, has been by the governor's side to interpret the Iowa chief executive's words for the deaf and hard of hearing as Reynolds has shared the bleak and difficult news of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. 

“It definitely hit me the moment that I walked in that, ‘Oh, yes, I am going to be everywhere,” Kaster said.

Since the coronavirus hit the state, Kaster has been everywhere: televisions, computer screens and news photos. The 33-year-old from Moulton, who lives in West Des Moines, has one of the biggest assignments of her career.

“It is very nerve-racking,” Kaster said. “I do my best to forget, honestly. It sometimes takes me a few minutes at the beginning of the press conference, but once I start really working and getting into the groove of the message and interpreting, I am able to forget.”

Same work, new role

The work is unlike anything Kaster ever thought she'd get herself into when she first got interested in interpreting while in high school at Moulton-Udall.

When Kaster met another student, who was learning the skill in an interpreter program, she figured it might be something for her. So, Kaster took an interpreter training class at Iowa Western. When she was done there, she went into the program at Columbia College in Chicago and received her bachelor's degree. 

She's been dedicated to the job since, spending many of her days doing freelance interpreting jobs. Her pre-coronavirus assignments included medical appointments, E.R. visits, office staff meetings, job interviews, job orientations and university classes.

She lands the bulk of her work through Deaf Services Unlimited, which helps line up interpreters for businesses or people in need. When Reynolds’ office reached out to the agency looking for an interpreter, Kaster, who had already developed a strong reputation, was recommended for the job.

“She’s very competent and has worked in the community for a number of years," said Diana Kautzky, president of Deaf Services Unlimited.

The job called for Kaster to work Reynolds’ news conference only the first Friday, March 13.

At that news conference, the governor said 17 Iowans had tested positive for the coronavirus and that all of them were sickened after travel. But, as Kaster's hands moved through the words, Reynolds warned that Iowa expected the virus to spread through the community.

"Now is the time to dramatically reduce our risk and to slow the spread of the virus to continue to mitigate it," Reynolds said, with Kaster at her side.

As Reynolds predicted that day, the number of positive tests kept rising. As the state's response also increased, the governor began doing daily media briefings.

And with that, Kaster was scheduled to work by her side, by the week.

'She's amazing'

Shirley Hampton, who was born deaf and is the president of the Iowa Association for the Deaf, watches most of Reynolds’ news conferences and pays close attention to Kaster.

“She’s amazing,” Hampton said through an interpreter. “At the same time, she’s right on cue.”

The work has brought Kaster, who typically tries to avoid any attention, newfound fame. But standing next to the governor day after day, announcing the number of Iowans who are infected with COVID-19, has made her impossible to miss.

Kaster said she's gotten wave after wave of text messages from family and friends who are proud to see her on television. 

But Kaster, who re-watches some of the news conferences to study her work and learn from mistakes, has gone so far out of her way to avoid getting swept up in the attention that she ignores the Facebook comments that come pouring in. 

"It's kind of uncomfortable for me," Kaster said. "I'm not out there seeking attention. I'm really just there to provide an essential service for the deaf and hard of hearing community, and that's what I'm really focused on."

The job has become Kaster's top focus. Kaster said she'll frequently work around 30 hours interpreting. When work is really busy, she'll work as many as 50 hours. But with Reynolds closing down non-essential businesses to slow the spread of the virus, Kaster, like many Iowans, is also affected. 

Her only job, for now, is preparing for and working the news conferences. About an hour before each one, Kaster will get a call from a member of the governor's communications team and get briefed broadly about the day's potential topics. Kaster, who usually steps out shortly before Reynolds does, is doing most of her work on the fly. 

Kaster, like many Iowans, wonders how she's going to make ends meet during the tough times. But she isn't thinking about her income when she's next to Reynolds. She understands that people are counting on her, and she can't get overwhelmed by whatever news Reynolds is sharing that day.

Kaster has interpreted for Reynolds as the governor has spoken about COVID-19 deaths, and restrictions on businesses, gatherings and surgeries. 

"I've developed a pretty good poker face," Kaster said.  

She said she's most proud that she's helping to get important information to people during difficult times. But, like others, she longs to go back to normal. 

"I would be ecstatic to go back to having the same kind of jobs that I had before," she said.

Reach Tommy Birch at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. 

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