Following the “COVID Story”: Reflecting on Coronavirus Media Coverage (originally for The Reis Group blog)

 

Whether you’ve been working in health, public health, media, or public relations, or you’re just a human trying to survive, 2020 has been an unforgettable and bizarre experience. Endless depressing case counts and deaths. COVID-19 special reports. White House coronavirus briefings. CDC, WHO and Task Force updates and trending hashtags about PPE, testing, ventilators and plenty of depressing things that many of us had never planned to think about.

Remember hearing about COVID-19 in February, back when it seemed to only exist on cruise ships or in Wuhan? When first responders had inadequate PPE? The first week we learned that we should wear masks? The continuing flow of contradictory stories on “miracle” drugs and speculative vaccine timeframes? In hindsight, the situation sometimes seemed to become clearer, only to turn even more confusing.

I recently spent several intense hours reviewing and organizing seven months’ worth of COVID-19 drug stories, and all of these things streamed back through my thoughts. In our work, it’s important to gather story numbers and impressions and to tally both original pieces and syndications in order to accurately report results and continually refine future media strategy. Proofreading, essentially what I did for the five-thousand-line spreadsheet, involves using the tools available (particularly Office’s spell check, find, and sort functions) while also buckling in for thoughtful reviewing and re-reviewing. By nature, this work cannot be done quickly. It’s also helpful to incorporate the proofreading best practice of reading backwards: starting at the bottom of the document instead of the top and working in the opposite direction. Not only did these tactics yield an accurate overview of media coverage, but this experience really impressed on me how much the COVID story has changed throughout 2020.

Thankfully, we learn more about COVID-19 all the time, thanks especially to researchers, health and public health professionals, and dedicated journalists. Yes, the media coverage has been exhausting and sometimes confusing and problematic. It remains important to consider sources, cross-reference guidance, and prioritize experts. However, in great part thanks to the media, most people now know about the variety of actions that we can each take to fight COVID-19, with more knowledge gained all the time. One of the top things we can do this fall is get a flu shot.

The dedication to service and innovation that I’ve seen throughout society this year—though inevitably twinged with tragedy and loss—encourage me to do whatever I can as an individual to keep myself and others safe and to help share useful, accurate information as a medical public relations professional. In the next seven months, the “COVID story” will surely develop and progress, and as it does, we can find hope in remembering what we can control as well as embracing the sure-to-come helpful new information and developments to keep us safe and pursue the return to our pre-pandemic lives.

Month Four of ~Quarantine: June 14-July 13, 2020

Maybe you, too?

1.    We finally both fell asleep before ten

2.    I seriously tried to put on a navy shirt with my black pants

3.    I made molasses coffee and did not successfully foam the milk

4.    We finally went up the roof of the lovely tower in Will’s apartment building: a nighttime glance, new favorite quiet “restaurant” and new deserted “yoga studio”

5.    The Jeopardy tournament ended and the total confirmed that Will won, though not by a landslide

6.    I watched my first-ever episode of Fixer Upper

7.    Susie and I had our first “wine” night in the park and I realized that I had no wine available so had sweet green tea with vodka

8.   Celebrated the joyous news of two babies in two days!!!

9.    I got to plant tomato sprouts and they actually made it!!

10. We watched Becoming and Yes-Man

11. We ran out of baking powder. So many pancakes. So much joy. 

12. Attained new levels of flatbread thinness 

13. I returned a library book originally checked out in February

14. Was a hypochondriac AGAIN

15. We looked up hypothetical AirBnbs for three trips that may never happen

16. We watched Hamilton

17. I finally asked for my first time off since January

18. Free slurpee day was presumably canceled

19. We did our only indoor DC-friend hangout since mid-March

20. I witnessed a fancy outdoor barre class 

21. Distant in-person church events started back and we made it to two

22. We attended our first drive-in picnic

23. Did my first run with a running friend and did not perish 

24. We did DIY exercise in a gorgeous garden 

25. We worked from a nearby plaza (with WiFi!!?) due to a fire alarm 

26. We had our first Reese’s cup s’mores 

27. The pool finally opened and it was the best 

28. I realized I’m really not drinking enough water again

29. There were rolls of toilet paper—multiple—in the grocery store again!!

Probably just us:

1.    We finally signed a darn lease

2.    Will borrowed a hand truck

3.    I finished the “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” audiobook

4.    Will saw his brother’s build-a-computer pitch and the vegetables of his labors

5.    I dreamed that I was staying in the same AirBnb as Heidi Klum and Seal (RIP)

6.    We celebrated our new engagement with steaks, the best chimichurri ever, asparagus, fruit salad and sangria on the apartment rooftop with two friends 

7.    Will found out that he would literally not be able to do just about anything (for a ~week) via Naval message

8.    We said “see you later” to my brother for nine months

9.    Our new lease warned us to “remain clam” in face of an emergency 

10. Attempted to meditate at the pool while three children shrieked with joy and simultaneously also failed to delay beginning wedding planning for a month

11. We went kayaking on the Potomac with church friends on the morning of the 4th: one tradition that can continue!

12. Chick Fil A Cow Day and the Hawaii trip were canceled on the same day that a succulent gift started dying—somehow I can never get them right!

13. We both gave notice for our apartments

14. I finished going through all digital photos and movies since 2005ish

15. We met a ridiculously cute corgi puppy named Crouton

16. I watched distant fireworks from a roof for the first time and almost the whole skyline was filled

17. We enjoyed tamale pie, really good stir fry, froze, gazpacho, gumbo, flaming spicy broth, lots more pancakes, several breakfast sandwiches, Rice Krispies treats a la Marissa

18. We finally opened and finished the for-a-rainy-day Pumpkin Spice Joe Joes (Trader Joe’s ~oreos)

19. Made berry ice cream American flag version of nachos

20. Will let me win at cards once and I called him out

21. Received a virtual champagne toast

22. We made it to Will’s apartment rooftop once for each day since I discovered it

23. I learned of the existence of Will’s American flag tank top

24. Discovered a newly rainbow-painted cross walk near a very large Black Lives Matter billboard on my bike home to DC

25. I went to the gym three times in a week—so thankful to feel safe and get some things done while exercising

26. We learned of a nearby Alpaca farm and lavender field 

27. We enjoyed another round of Sweet Fire Donna’s nachos after a bike ride

28. Pulled a fast one on both Will’s parents

29. Got more skin cancer prevention surgery

30. I finally opened THE big memory box and found some ridiculous photos of my early self

31. Will’s work switched back to an every-other-week in the office schedule

32. I resisted buying chocolate at the store...again!! But definitely polished off a good amount of hot chocolate powder the last month.

33. DJ, Rock-paper-scissors work buddy extraordinaire left 

34. We started trying to guess dog’s names

35. I finally got to wear my new in the fall bathing suit in an actual pool!!

36. Started a spreadsheet of all our favorite people

37. I celebrated a virtual 30th birthday party and an early 60th on the same day

38. We made a fort and watched three episodes of Criminal Minds

39. We personally made 55 calls or messages about engagement! So fun and crazy

40. My phone seriously considered self-destructing the one week I didn’t have my personal computer...terrible timing

41. Oh and we went for a walk, got crepes to-go, watched dogs, played some cards, talked and rested a while and then we got engaged <3 span="">

Month Three of ~Quarantine: May 14-June 13, 2020

Actions, Learnings and Observations

Maybe you, too?

1. We mourned our mid-May wedding trip and Memorial Day Colorado trips-not-to-be
2. There were threeish freeze watches after I finally put my cold weather clothes away—poor plants
3. I tried to finally buy a pretty mask
4. The dang Backstreet Boys pushed back their concert a whole year
5. I developed a phobia of drinking water before walks then not being near a restroom
6. Will got the best haircut of his life
7. I went on a real hike
8. We got Thai takeout and ate in the park again (finally!!!)
9. I had my first two major (distant) plans with humans almost canceled due to rain
10. We made delicious pickles and then started picking beets, onions and everything else 
11. I got to pet two puppies that came into my midst
12. Will audited his book stash 
13. We stopped doing free workouts online (just picking miscellaneous exercises instead)
14. I survived getting a rental car
15. We spontaneously grabbed good New York-style pizza 
16. Will asked a beloved author if he needed someone to edit a book for him then he wrote a whole chapter!
17. I made chocolate strawberries for a birthday celebration
18. That far-off "end of quarantine" day set in April finally came and yet COVID-19 still didn't feel distant
19. We thought about maybe traveling again
20. I faced some definite seasonal allergies, part two
21. We finally got some good hugs
22. We found and started eating the world’s most epic watermelon (the rest is frozen for many slushes to come)
23. We had a virtual game night with Will’s sister and husband and for once, Will did not win every round
24. I finished audiobooks: “We Should All Be Feminists” and “A Year of Less”
25. We decided we could start depleting the mini-freezer and pantry stockpiles
26. The late July bachelor party was canceled
27. I decided to keep growing out then donate 8 inches of my hair
28. We failed at multiple attempted Goodwill drop-offs
29. Yoga went down on the priority list but higher on the wish list 

Probably just us:

1. I gave up on the Hawaii trip then two weeks later we started booking (cancellable) ground arrangements for the Hawaii trip
2. Will biked the whole Mount Vernon Trail
3. I ripped a hole in my Walmart Miley Cyrus jean shirt from 2009...and several old pairs of socks and shorts 
4. We had a distant picnic complete with key lime donuts
5. I had two rounds of exercise GPS tracker drama and bike rental drama
6. Will encouraged his dad to become a voter registration leader and recycling advocate
7. We learned how bad we are at guessing south Arlington home values
8. I enjoyed a honey lavender latte and ancho chili cafe con leche to go from an actual coffee shop (remember those?!)
9. We enjoyed homemade lentil curry, strawberry basil margarita, baba ghanoush, Will’s first ratatouille, and many more vegan pancakes
10. I researched, read and wrote about cancer survivorship for hours and then jumped to prostate cancer for more hours—work project
11. Will and his dad washed the truck 
12. I jogged to pick up tequila, bringing a new meaning to tequila run
13. We savored SC biscuits and finally found good peaches and tomatoes
14. I tried eggs for the first time since January
15. My keys fell off their designated carabiner perfectly in between two grapefruit causing a 15 minute panic
16. I jogged past the historic White House protests and glimpsed the brand new Black Lives Matter street “art”
17. Will read the Frederick Douglass biography
18. My brother let a surprise slip a year in advance
19. Will read up on the love languages and the enneagram
20. We toured three apartments and made miniature models of them and all our furniture 
21. I realized that 2020 will not be chill but THE year of family celebrations 
22. Will dried his own Serrano chilis 
23. We listened to the masterpiece that is the entire compilation of Sarah Mae mix CDs since January 2015
24. I wrote a haiku for work
25. My hardcore electric toothbrush got possessed and was banished to the truck bed
26. I finally made it to 2019 in my photo library audit
27. We enlisted Will’s grandparents to help throw a surprise birthday for his dad
28. Based on a bonfire, we now really understand “like a moth to a flame”

Month Two of Quarantine: April 14-May 13, 2020

Actions, Learnings and Observations

Maybe you, too?

1. Will bought a lot of masks.
2. I replanned this year for the third time. 
3. I lost my keys in my room. COVID-19 brain.
4. We had a virtual '90s dance party.
5. We watched Star Wars (Episode IV) on May the 4th.
6. Will went on a J.Crew bankruptcy-induced shopping spree. (Hooray for size tall medium.)
7. I measured a nearby plaza and made it into a "track".
8. I finally watched the Great British Baking Show and it is as great as everyone has said for years. It makes me crave pastries all the time.
9. We finished a puzzle. We miss it.
10. We reminisced on six official months together and all of the life that we have crammed into them.
11. I started craving salad (semi-unheard of).
12. We took advantage of a half-off Uber Eats deal. (So much delicious Ethiopian food.) Also a BOGO AndPizza deal.
13. We did a virtual 5k.
14. We finished a first bucket list and wrote a second one.
15. Will's farmer's tan started making a comeback.
16. I realized that an hour...even 45 minutes...is a "long run".
17. The Northern Virginia lockdown was extended until May 28 and the D.C. lockdown was extended until June 8.
18. I took an online nutrition class.
19. Will deep-cleaned the windows, inside of the washing machine, dishwasher and the bathtub.
20. We discussed the various dog types.
21. Will picked up the guitar...several times.
22. I made my first broth.
23. We had several 4:45 am wake-ups and received a follow-up letter from the loud neighbors.
24. I get nervous when I see vacancy signs.
25. Will and I started an audiobook together.
26. We welcomed back the nearby fountain.
27. I gave my mom a mug that said "I'm proud to be y'orchid." She loves it.
28. We bought five zucchini and had zucchini bread, stir fry and fritters all in one week.
29. I researched donating my hair. Currently at six months since my last haircut.
30. Carrot soup, ilantro cashew pesto are awesome.
31. I decided that I'm not going to be a license plate collector.
32. Will accidentally added "noodles" to the pho order and we had a really large bowl of leftovers.
33. The Ellen Show became a consistent source of joy (starring Ellen Degeneres and Ellen Degeneres and Ellen Degeneres). However, a governor of a state that we do not live in consistently tried to interrupt.
34. I started walking circles around the apartment while reading work emails.
35. I reviewed every one of my photos and videos from college (SO many sorority photos).
36. I am still much better at "stocking up" on groceries than Will.
37. I fell in love with Criobru.
38. Will tried a goatee for twenty minutes.
39. I spotted baby ducklings so it is officially spring.
40. I signed up for absentee ballots for the year.
41. We celebrated Cinco de Mayo with cilantro chicken soup and to-go margaritas.
42. I still feel incredibly violated when people enter my personal space at the grocery store. I officially avoid the store now and it sucks.
43. We made a lot of pancakes.

Probably just us:

1. I fell in love with Will's meatloaf recipe.
2. My brother got engaged so Will and I became virtual game show hosts. Dad is still happy that I suggested Mom throw confetti over the iPad.
3. We virtually explored European culture for Europe Day.
4. Will got his first placemats as I sorted my apartment.
5. The nearby plaza at lunch looked oddly normal when there were people sitting in the sunshine outside a restaurant with an "Open" sign.
6. Will suggested yoga before I did. It happened.
7. I learned how hard it is to purchase clean serum that does not contain xanthan gum.
8. My great-grand little was featured by The Today Show.
9. Will reached out to an author he likes and is now helping him write his next book.
10. We looked at rings and apartments to try to move forward. 
11. My Hawaiian plant survived three freeze watches in May.
12. Will became a stretching rack.
13. We said "swo" and "gwoss" a semi-concerning amount of times.
14. On a walk, we found a secret passageway to the metro.
15. Will took the Hogwarts sorting survey and the Enneagram. He also guessed my Enneagram number perfectly.
16. We biked to Mount Vernon and peered through the gates to see sheep butts.
17. I researched medical hashtags for work and now feel concerned about #bedwetting.
18. We put on fancy clothes for a "Shades of Red" dinner: poached salmon, beets, purple barley and red wine.

Month One of ~Quarantine: March 14-April 13, 2020

Actions, Learnings and Observations

Maybe you, too?

1. Dog-watching is the new people-watching. 
2. It is possible to have a longer line to get into Trader Joe’s than to get out of it.
3. Grown-up bike accidents are not fun. 
4. Gingerbread, pie, DIY frosties, banana bread, pancakes, barbecue and pizza are delicious.
5. Virtual birthdays, happy hours, Bible studies, family dinners, game nights, dance parties and trivia sessions are a thing.
6. Sitting on the couch all day is not as fun and comfortable as it sounds.
7. Impostor syndrome and hypochondriac tendencies are still real for me.
8. Facemask Fridays don’t sound as cute as they used to with this whole new mask epidemic.
9. Babies on conference calls need to stay.
10. I've been living by the motto "Do as much as you can for as long as you can."
11. I’m good not running much, but I absolutely have to move my legs every day to feel sane.
12. The upstairs neighbor has a heavier heel strike than I do.
13. Audiobooks are great walking and running accompaniment.
14. I feel incredibly violated when people enter my personal space at the grocery store.
15. A happy group text: get one.
16. I get nervous when ambulances pass.
17. Puzzles are still cool.
18. Baked beans are my new impulse buy.
19. I miss the gym.
20. Raspberry jam is actually that easy to make and it is worth spooning straight into my mouth.
21. “The public is being urged to avoid public transportation.”
22. Gloves are the new all-weather accessory.
23. Enchilada-making on a teleconference: the new maximizing.
24. I finally joined (multiple) Instagram lives.
25. Exercising (in some form) every day is the way to go.
26. Apparently it’s not easy to donate blood during an urgent call for blood. We tried.
27. Taxes still suck, even when they get extended.
28. Pitching is an adventure.
29. Vacuuming often is totally necessary.
30. I’m working to learn how to chew slowly since there’s no longer any rush.
31. I really miss chips and salsa bowls at restaurants. NO idea when that will be back.
32. So many misspelled COVID-related trending hashtags...
33. Apparently the 2020 Olympics can get moved to a different year.
34. Toilet paper is a prize to be treasured.
35. Even in the "apocalypse", people love T-rexes.
36. Got sick of the words "pivot", "cancelled", "virtual" and "teleconference".
37. Our president is ridiculous.
38. A printer plus a board game box makes a great standing desk.
39. Microwave s’mores are worth it.
40. I'm not sure if jaywalking is a thing any more.

Probably just us:

1. Will’s to-do list is way cooler (and shorter) than mine.
2. I like Will both with and without facial hair.
3. Biz is the best boyfriend-interrogator. (Now taking requests for her lists of questions.)
4. Will and I actually like each other, even when the world is sometimes crazy, monotonous, scary and sweet and we have lots of extra time together.
5. Will likes my couch better than his couch.
6. Will can fold laundry better than Marie Kondo.
7. Will doesn’t feel smart enough to go to MIT (online courses with differential equations give him a headache).
8. Will does not love "Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.” I still do.
9. We found and relished in the deliciousness of vegan gingerbread loaf and pancakes.
10. I kept training through the first race cancellation and organized a socially-distant backup race, then I totally forgot to react when the weekend of the second race-to-be passed without a race.
11. I put my headphones through the washing machine in my pocket and then thought about it, went back to work, then accidentally didn't fish them out before the dryer cycle.
12. We ate pie for a whole week.
13. Soy milk curdles in the microwave...it's unpleasant.
14. My pink temporary hair dye intended for platinum hair still doesn't work on my non-platinum blond hair.

Surprise! You’re Working from Home

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to quickly transition to fully-working-from-home during this era of unexpected COVID-19 weirdness. I have verbalized never wanting to work from home more than “maybe one day a week”. Meanwhile, my roommate loves doing it every day as she has done for years. I even did college sociology research on the stress of living at your workplace, whether serving on housing staff or working from home. However, just like I’ve said for years that I could do vegetarianism but never veganism—and then found out that I am “highly reactive” to both eggs and all dairy—life sometimes turns out very different than you’d expect. 

I mourn the news and am working to keep focused on what I can control as well as regularly sharing positive tidbits and moments with friends. At first glance, almost all of my personal default settings have been thwarted by this quarantine. I am extroverted, almost-never-sitting-still, definitely not a homebody, nearly always searching out and planning the next fun event, and I typically seek out nearly constant stimulation from either interesting media, creative opportunities and/or social interaction. I’ve read more than ten “work from home tips” blogs and wasn’t seeing these, so this is what I've been doing to help with Pandemic-induced working from home!

(Image by DarkWorkX from Pixabay) 

To work from home as well as possible, I incorporate these tips as much as I need to:

1. Start, break up or end the day by walking. Or, do all three! In the absence of commutes, we still need transitions, breaks and movement. The sunshine and bird twitters have been a special treat for me. While, like everyone, I wish this had never happened, I’m particularly thankful that this pandemic didn’t happen in the winter.

2. Switch up between essential oils or use a candle to create “new environments”. Pick different scents to help you celebrate a new day.

3. Plank day! Choose a day to do a plank once an hour. Be sure to use a timer to help you remember. Choose sit ups, wallsits or something else, if you prefer. You’ll be surprised how much it helps move the day along while you squeeze in strength-building resets.

4. When possible, try to combine news catch-up with time that you are answering simple emails.

5. As you can, take advantage of the amazing, free online-learning options. I’ve found worthwhile options through my library online, Instagram, email newsletters, listservs and trials of usually expensive training portals.  

6. Keep water next to you. Either have a tall glass that holds more water (to keep you more hydrated without forgetting) or use a smaller glass that prompts you to get up to refill. 

7. If you have to review longer documents or news emails and it can be done on your phone, use those minutes to pace around a room, hallway or around the block. (Obviously, maintain social distance and wash your hands thoroughly if you have to touch any door handles or buttons.)

8. Incorporate inspirational photos or quotes into your workspace, whether by moving frames over to your new primary spot, updating your desktop, using a colorful sticky note, or writing a dry erase marker quote on your fridge or bathroom mirror. 

9. Invest in blue-light glasses to help protect your eyes from all of the screen time.

10. If you don’t need to be on video, whether during or after work, use the call-in only option on Zoom, or close or otherwise focus your eyes while listening to a Facebook Live or webinar. Give your eyes and brain a break from the useful but weirdly exhausting video call era that we’ve emerged into.

11. Set recurring alarms to shift positions, refocus your eyes every twenty to thirty minutes (extra screen time means more eye strain), roll your shoulders, and/or take belly breaths.

12. Check in with coworkers just to say hello. Remember when we used to all say hello on the way in or in the break room? (I miss that!)

13. Reserve special tea, coffee or treats for when you are struggling and work to truly savor them. I’ve realized that my default was eating too quickly so have been working on chewing well and taking smaller bites to prolong the deliciousness.

14. Without my beloved standing desk options from my recent offices, I was experiencing too-frequent spells of numbness, tingling and backaches. And then, my boyfriend and I made one by stacking a board game box on top of a printer on the kitchen counter. As I finish this blog standing, I can already say that it has made such a difference. If you want to invest in a more legitimate option, I loved having this Vari converter at my last job.

15. Adopt various music themes to spice up the days: Taylor Swift day, retro playlist day, Macklemore day, musical day, Tim McGraw day, Beach Boys day and several (irreverent but weirdly stress-relieving) days of the “COVID-19 Quarantine Party” Spotify playlist. 

16. Appreciate any meeting-free hours or days by joining me for “Face Mask Fridays” or whichever day suits you best.

17. Acknowledge the emotional “penthouse days” and the “dungeon days”. On the dungeon days, take a deep breath, work to reset and try your best to “win in the dark”. (Thanks, Lucas Jadin of TRAIN2BCLUTCH for sharing in the DMV Running Clinic!)

I hope these ideas help you keep things lively and productive for as long as you can during the #quarantinelife. Let me know if you have any additions! Thanks for reading.