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Some advocate avoiding/limiting COVID-19 news as a possible health measure. I get it can be overwhelming & want everyone to be as healthy as possible. I also want to make the case that news in this situation can also be instrumental in keeping us all healthy/safe as possible+
First, we’re learning more about this virus all the time & that means the best expert advice is a moving target. What you read 3 days ago may not be best practice now. We all need to be aware of best practice because the actions of each one of us impacts the rest of us in this+
We’re also just learning from the experiences of people who’ve had the virus. Like May. From her alone we learn
1 - the young and strong do get sick
2 - 5 of 6 at the then-legal dinner party got ill, suggesting significant contagiousness+ https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/03/im-a-healthy-millennial-getting-covid-19-was-so-much-worse-than-i-expected.html
1 - the young and strong do get sick
2 - 5 of 6 at the then-legal dinner party got ill, suggesting significant contagiousness+ https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/03/im-a-healthy-millennial-getting-covid-19-was-so-much-worse-than-i-expected.html
3 - it really really hurts
4 - May is a good person who wrote this personal health story because she doesn’t want this to happen to you too
Thank you, @maywarren11 + https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/03/im-a-healthy-millennial-getting-covid-19-was-so-much-worse-than-i-expected.html
4 - May is a good person who wrote this personal health story because she doesn’t want this to happen to you too
Thank you, @maywarren11 + https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/03/im-a-healthy-millennial-getting-covid-19-was-so-much-worse-than-i-expected.html
From these people kindly telling their story we learn symptoms we’ve most linked with COVID-19 are not at all the only symptoms. Health experts are still learning this virus. That makes a big difference when it comes to our own actions & community spread+ https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/03/what-are-the-symptoms-of-typical-covid-19-for-those-confronting-the-pandemic-firsthand-the-answer-can-be-aggravatingly-elusive.html
From this ER doctor we learn in some ways hospitals can’t always do much for COVID-19 patients but YOU can by changing behaviour so you & others don’t get it in the first place. He tells you exactly how you can help him and other frontline workers + https://www.thestar.com/podcasts/thismatters/2020/04/02/er-doctor-speaks-from-the-frontline-of-covid-19-and-about-what-we-can-do-to-help.html
Expert opinion is also shifting on public advice like wearing (non M95) masks. Keeping up with news helps you keep up with the most up to date ways to protect yourself and others+ https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/03/should-we-all-wear-masks-to-slow-covid-19-some-experts-are-shifting-their-advice.html
News also provides you updated information on the ever-changing rules. What businesses are allowed to be open changed again late this week. Here is the new information:+ https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/03/ontario-pares-down-the-list-of-essential-services-during-covid-19-outbreak.html
Big international news outlets don’t report on what is happening in your communities. They don’t tell you what is happening where you live. Local news does. Local news is there for you in times of crisis (and peacetime too)+ https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/01/we-would-love-you-to-be-here-but-not-today-cottage-country-grapples-with-increase-in-visitors-during-covid-19-crisis.html
Including informing you in situations when NOT knowing can cost you $5000, along with the health risks to you and others. Reading news can save you $5k plus pain and heartache + https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2020/04/02/new-bylaw-orders-torontonians-to-keep-at-least-two-metres-apart-in-parks-public-squares.html
Reporting on difficult news is crucial for us all to make informed and rational decisions, but we know it can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. News does its best to provide help on how to cope with what is a very emotional and tough time:+ https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2020/03/24/im-feeling-really-stressed-about-coronavirus-how-can-i-cope.html
That includes joining you up with experts who can answer your questions directly because they also want to help. And anyone who asks a question will help many many others who will be aided by the answer. A whole circle of helping+
Bottom line is newsrooms are going all out to provide you with information that can keep you safe, help you find financial aid amid business shutdowns, keep you updated on the latest federal, provincial and local lockdowns and rules, and help you navigate through the challenges+
by also focusing on the shining lights, the many kindnesses, the humanity and circumstances that unite us even while we are staying home and physically distanced+ https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/04/03/thanks-for-risking-your-lives-we-asked-you-to-draw-a-picture-of-your-covid-19-hereos-here-are-the-starchallenge-results.html
So please, everyone be good to yourself and others. Do what you need to be ok. Understood. But please also be assured news outlets are going all out to help you have the information you need to cope, to connect, to make informed choices
Also (throat clear) some COVID-19 stories are out of news paywalls so they can be accessed by all. But stories that are free to read aren’t free to report. Local news needs your help to keep reporting. If you can afford it, please consider subscribing https://www.thestar.com/subscribe
Thank you for reading
