Let’s talk COVID-19 and the news. With the 24/7 news era in full swing, we can’t turn on the news or open a web browser without seeing COVID-19 developments. Most of the time, the developments are scary and either send tears rolling down your cheeks or heart palpitations in your chest. Let’s be clear; this is something that should be taken seriously. This is something that we should all be educated on so we can all do our part to stay safe and keep our neighbors safe. But do we have to be sent into a state of panic when we watch the news? NO.
Why is the News Scary?
The brutal truth is that those feelings of panic and worry are what’s keeping your attention on the news, and news stations and corporations are benefiting from it. No, they’re not monsters. It’s just the reality of the way journalism works. It has to be written in a way that makes an ordinary story newsworthy. I’ll explain this further, along with pointing your gaze in the direction of more succinct news so you can learn what you need to and walk the heck away with all your sanity securely in tact.
Not too long ago, I received my bachelor’s in journalism with an emphasis on print. Almost every professor I had drilled into my head the importance of making stories newsworthy. That means that you have to transform an ordinary story and write it in a way that is impactful and makes people say wow. Wow = Holy shi$. Holy shi$ = high ratings.
Let’s Look at an Example
Let’s make an example out of a recent story from NBC News. According to Cahill (2020), New York has over 4,000 COVID-19 deaths, making it more deadly than the September 11th attack. Now, this is factual. Technically, yes, more have died from the COVID-19 in NY than those from the September 11th attack. But also factual is that, annually, over 4,000 people die every year in NY alone from the influenza (flu) (CDC, 2020). Over 4,000 New Yorkers also die from diabetes every year (CDC, 2020). And to drive my point home, over 70,000 New Yorkers die every year from heart disease and cancer (CDC, 2020). Can you see it now?
I hope you understand the point I am trying to make. I’m not saying that the NBC story wasn’t factual or that is was bad, I’m just saying that the news has to be written in a way to turn your head and evoke some emotion so you keep watching it. Wouldn’t it be nice to just get what you need out of the news and go about your day without thinking about mind-boggling matrix equations of COVID-19 and September 11th?
If your answer was not only yes but yas, then avert your gaze toward your local department of health website. Literally, all you need to see on what the COVID-19 is doing in your neck of the woods. Their data is generated from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other government sources, so your news is coming straight from the horses mouth and won’t compare it to awful things from the past just to do it.
What You Should be Reading
If you want a birds-eye view, check out the CDC‘s website and just follow their user-friendly links to check out what’s happening all over the place. Straight-forward facts, ya’ll. Get what you need, and get out.
Once you get your daily dose of COVID-19 in the form of hard facts, check out a positive news website to give yourself a well-rounded perspective of what’s going on in the world. Yes, we’re suffering from a serious and fatal virus, but our world is full of wonderful people and the things they are doing is worth our attention, too. My favorite sight to check out is Positive News. I just spotted an article on this sight about how pubs are creating online drinking events where you can pull up a virtual stool and imbibe with a stranger to combat loneliness during social distancing. How cool is that?
My friends, please take the news seriously but also consider taking it with a grain of salt once you start feeling anxious and panicked. At the media’s core is human emotion. It needs that to survive. In cases like this, it’s doing them a lot of good but it’s terrifying you. We are going to get through this. Have faith, take a breath, and take care of yourself (see my post on that here).
What are some tips you have to keep your head straight when things seem too overwhelming?
Cahill, P. (2020, April 8) US Suffers Deadliest Day of Coronavirus Pandemic Yet, as Wuhan Lockdown Lifted. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/morning-briefing/u-s-suffers-deadliest-day-coronavirus-pandemic-yet-wuhan-lockdown-n1178961
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, Feb 19). National Center for Health Statistics: Influenza/Pneumonia Mortality by State. ttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/flu_pneumonia_mortality/flu_pneumonia.htm