What it's like covering the coronavirus
COVID-19. Coronavirus. Social distancing. Welcome to the new normal (for now). I and many others across the state of Arizona are transitioning to a new way of life. Living rooms are now offices, solitary walks around the neighborhood are daily workouts and Zoom meetings are a popular tool for social interaction.
The pandemic has taken hold of the globe's attention and the world watches and scrolls for updates on the fight against COVID-19.
And I am one of those who have the privilege to provide an essential service as a journalist to help keep my community informed during this tumultuous time.
It's an honor to be able to be of service during this time and I will remember this moment for as long as I live. We transitioned to a work-from-home environment and the dynamic of news gathering is adapting to our new environment. Many newsrooms are relatively empty, but the news is far from gone. People like me get up every morning and roll up to our computers and begin checking for updates. My day is filled with checking emails, interacting with co-workers on Zoom, speaking with sources and developing content.
It comes in many forms in today's news-consumption landscape. From articles and videos to social graphics and tweets, I help share information on the coronavirus and tell the story of those affected by the outbreak, Not all of it is bad; for every article about the rising case numbers or updated social distancing requirements, there are those moments of hope. Stories about neighbors helping neighbors and kids sharing positive chalk-written messages help balance the intense reality we're currently living.
So for now, I’ll continue to cover this unprecedented event with pride and a great sense of duty. For as long as it takes.
And for everyone reading this, be sure to continue to wash your hands, keep your (social) distance and stay positive. As the great Harvey Dent said, “It’s always darkest before the dawn."