ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Central Florida does not hold a coronavirus news conference without Annette Rodriguez and Jonathan Sanchez, or one of their colleagues, standing by the sides of county leaders. 

They are two of the American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters who travel around Central Florida, giving the deaf community the information everyone else can hear.

It's a tough job because they have to remain laser-focused, keep their minds sharp, and work in pairs.

"That's one of the reasons why we switch between interpreters, so you're always fresh,” Rodriguez said.  “Our attention is always there."

She took ASL classes and fell in love with sign language in her native Puerto Rico but has been living in Florida for more than 13 years.

Sanchez was born and raised in Colombia, South America, and later moved with his family to New York City and eventually to Florida. He was enrolled in nursing school and quit once he fell in love with ASL.

Both work for Kissimmee-based ASL Services, and every day brings a new experience for them.  They can also be found translating during job interviews, even weddings.

"One day I get to be a doctor,” Sanchez said. “The next day I get to be at a theme park enjoying myself, [and] the next day I get to be at a press conference."

During his news conferences, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings often takes time to recognize them.

"They are somewhat like our unsung heroes," Demings said.

Recognition, however, isn't what they are seeking.

"What our job entails is literally blending in to the background,” Sanchez said. “We never want to be seen, we never want to be... That's why we wear all black because we don't want to be seen. Attention should never be on us."

Rodriguez said she is doing a job she loves.

"This is a dream job, being an interpreter," she said.