Combatting pandemic fatigue with solidarity
It takes a lot of effort to remain hopeful as the U.S. fails to respond to the continued pandemic. Here are some suggestions, inspired by a recent story by Ed Yong in The Atlantic.
Read MoreTag: Betsy recommendations
Reflecting on 100 issues of COVID-19 data reporting
100 weeks ago, I wrote the first issue of this newsletter on Substack. Here’s a brief reflection on what I’ve learned about COVID-19 reporting since then.
Read MoreTips and source recommendations from my AHCJ panel
This weekend, I spoke on a panel at the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) annual conference, held in person in Austin, Texas. The session focused on COVID-19 data gaps left by the federal government.
Read MoreThe CDC’s isolation guidance is not based on data
Remember how, in December, the CDC changed its recommendations for people who’d tested positive for COVID-19 to isolating for only five days instead of ten? And a bunch of experts were like, “Wait a second, I’m not sure if that’s sound science?” Well, studies since this guidance was changed have shown that, actually, a lot of people with COVID-19 are still contagious after five days. Yet the CDC has not revised its guidance at all.
Read MoreThe 21 best COVID-19 data stories of 2021
Here’s my list of the 21 best COVID-19 data stories of 2021. Disclaimer: this list is not comprehensive or objective—I selected these stories from my own readings of national and local outlets, combined with a couple of reader submissions. Still, I tried to include a variety of publications and story types, ranging from short news pieces to large investigative projects.
Read MoreSend me your favorite COVID-19 data stories of 2021
In late December last year, I shared a list of news stories and projects that I considered the 20 best COVID-19 data stories of 2020. This year, I’m planning to compile a similar list, and I need your help to pick these stories.
Read MoreThinking about COVID-19 risk as winter approaches
I recently received a question from a COVID-19 Data Dispatch reader that followed a similar theme to many questions that readers, friends, and family members have asked me in the past few months. The question essentially outlined an event in the reader’s personal life that they’d been invited to attend, and asked for my advice: should they go? How risky was this event?
Read MoreAnswering your COVID-19 questions
This week, I’m answering readers’ COVID-19 questions. Including: Should I get a booster shot? Why don’t people get vaccinated? When will this end?!
Read MoreHow I stayed safe on a recent trip to California
I went on vacation in California recently, driving around the state with my sister. Here are some precautious that we took to make our trip as safe as possible in light of the current COVID-19 surge.
Read MoreThe 20 best COVID-19 data stories of 2020
I selected 20 stories that have uncovered significant patterns of the pandemic, demonstrated a mastery of craft, and inspired me to be a better data journalist. I included a variety of outlets and topics, featuring data viz-heavy stories as well as more traditional articles which explain COVID-19 numbers.
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