ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— With often vital coronavirus information being disseminated daily, the CEO of the National Association of the Deaf stresses that sign-language interpreters are more important than ever. 

"If the White House is telling people stay at home or wear a mask or do something specifically proactive to keep yourself healthy. much of that important information is not getting to the deaf community," said Howard A. Rosenblum, the National Association of the Deaf CEO. 

Rosenblum said his agency and several others have written letters to the White House asking for sign language interpreters during the daily White House briefings. 

"It’s so critical," Rosenblum said. "Everyone needs to know what is going on. what they can do. What they should do to protect themselves and their family."

He said just having closed captioning isn't the lone solution because it can be inaccurate and sign language is the first language for many in the deaf community.

Bay News 9 Reporter Saundra Weathers spoke with Rosenblum about the issue. Watch the interview above.