Nigel Howard, Dr. Bonnie Henry's expressive sign language interpreter, captivates audiences during the daily provincial COVID-19 response briefings. Not only is he providing an important service, but he does so with remarkable passion and enthusiasm.
Vancouver Is Awesome Editorial Cartoonist Geoff Coates created a fun cartoon of the charismatic interpreter, which shows him explaining physical distancing. The cartoon says "you" and "me" with Howard's fingers spread apart, and underneath the caption reads: "Listen to Nigel."
Photo: Nigel Howard illustration by Geoff Coates Vancouverite Eric Buchanan lives in the West End with his partner. Much to his dismay, he's seen countless people ignoring Dr. Bonnie Bonnie Henry and Nigel Howard's advice.
"We are pretty much living in the epicentre of people not physically distancing themselves from others. I am sure you recall seeing English Bay making national news a few weeks ago with people disregarding Dr. Henry’s call that everyone distances themselves and stay home," writes Buchanan in an email to V.I.A. "I find it really disturbing how people are disregarding what medical experts and scientists are telling them what to do to save their own life and the lives of others. We are a community in crisis, and we must respond as a community by listening to Minister Dix, Dr. Henry, Dr. Tam, and Nigel Howard."
In order to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, Buchanan started putting up “Listen to Nigel” posters around the city. He wanted to find a way to help, and he also has lots of friends in the “high risk” group. He adds that he really misses his barber - Veronica at Iron Lung.
"At the start of the pandemic, Geoff Coates’ editorial cartoon popped up on social media where everyone loved it. I know people have been commenting that they would love for it to be a t-shirt," he writes. "The artwork just pops brilliantly, the irony of listening to a person who is signing, and the message is so clear that it is not lost in translation. I saw this as an opportunity to support a local artist and a few small businesses like Vanprint and West End Paint & Hardware."
Buchanan remarks that Howard provides an incredible public service, and adds that he finds it endearing that so many people are drawn to his expressions as he speaks his language even if they may not understand ASL.
Buchanan says that the COVID-19 pandemic has been mentally and socially stressful for himself and his partner. He states that his partner recently had their hours and salary reduced. Howver, the business he works for has increased his hours. Further, his work is public facing which makes him wary of individuals who come into the office and how he interacts with them.
"I am also very concerned for my friends and family. Like I said, many of them are high-risk individuals who have a range of underlying medical conditions such as asthma, hypertension, immunosuppression, and Leukemia. When I look out into my neighbourhood and I do not see people distancing themselves, it will irk me - to say the least- because they are putting my friends and family at risk," he writes.
"From my experience, we are also witnessing the structural inequalities in our society coming to the forefront. This pandemic is showing who are most vulnerable, who is taking the brunt of the social and economic damage caused by this pandemic and our unwillingness to take this seriously. If we “Listen to Nigel” to encourage people to do the right thing, then maybe this will help mitigate some damage."
