Resources for covering COVID-19

The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) has created this list of resources for our members and all others covering the COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic. We will update it regularly. All resources were publicly accessible at the time of listing.

Updated June 18, 2020

Crafting accurate stories

• Covering the coronavirus epidemic effectively without spreading misinformation
  Written by former NASW president and Washington Post health and science editor Laura Helmuth. Source: The Open Notebook and the National Association of Science Writers (En Español)

• A list of collected resources for addressing misinformation
  Written by former NASW president and Washington Post health and science editor Laura Helmuth. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• Covering science at dangerous speeds
  Written by the president of the Association of Healthcare Journalists and NASW member Ivan Oransky, this piece is a helpful tour of the science reporting beat, with critical tips for those new to science coverage. "What is a newly transferred medical reporter to do? I would hope a veteran statehouse reporter would take me aside to give me a tour of the beat, so I’ll try to do the same here..." Source: Columbia Journalism Review

• 10 tips for journalists covering COVID-19: An international perspective
  Source: IJNet

• Online course and more for reporters covering coronavirus
  Resources include FAQs, a searchable database of debunks, and an online course for covering the virus. Source: FirstDraft

• Journalist's Toolbox: A collection of links to information, reports, and resources on COVID-19
  The Toolbox, edited by Mike Reilley, has resources for many other beats as well. Source: Society of Professional Journalists

• How newsrooms can tone down their coronavirus coverage while still reporting responsibly
  Source: Poynter

• I Lived Through SARS and Reported on Ebola. These Are the Questions We Should Be Asking About Coronavirus.
  Source: ProPublica

• NASW Information Access Standards
  Best practices for journalists and PIOs in seeking access to information from government sources. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• Press freedom and government transparency during COVID-19
  "Addresses frequently asked questions that journalists and others may have about court access, public records and open meetings, and the impact of measures implemented under governments’ emergency powers in response to the coronavirus." Source: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

• Vetting your sources for the right expertise
  Written by NASW member Tara Haelle. Source: Association of Health Care Journalists

• Who was that?
  Information about experts in epidemiology, infectious disease modeling, virology, health disparities, or vaccines who appeared at recent ScienceWriters conferences. Source: Council for the Advancement of Science Writing

• AP stylebook tips on the coronavirus
  Source: Poynter Institute

• Fact-checking in the age of misinformation
  Tips from a session at the World Conference of Science Journalists 2017 that included NASW member Brooke Borel. Source: WCSJ2017

• Fighting the Infodemic: The #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance
  "Poynter’s IFCN created a database that gathers all the falsehoods that have been detected by the Alliance. You can sort, filter and search for content. The database will be updated regularly to include new publications by fact-checkers." Weekly report outlining misinformation trends also available. Source: International Fact-Checking Network, part of the Poynter Institute

• Tips for navigating statistical information
  An overview of questions to ask about the reliability of numbers. Source: WCSJ2017

• The challenges of covering infectious disease outbreaks
  What are the challenges journalists face when covering disease outbreaks? Is it the journalist's job to fight rumors and conspiracy theories — and how do you do that anyway? Video of a session from the World Conference of Science Journalists 2017. Source: WCSJ2017. Traducción al Español disponible. Traduction Française disponible. To see the subtitles, view the video on YouTube. Click on the gear icon to select your language. A summary article is also available.

• Coronavirus story ideas
  Subscribe to a daily email that "points to innovative and thoughtful work that we hope will spark useful, reflective and even uplifting reporting on COVID-19." Source: Poynter Institute

Seeking diverse sources

COVID-19 is a global pandemic affecting people of all cultures. Seek out diverse sources and accurately represent the people at the heart of your stories.

• AAJA calls on news organizations to exercise care in coverage of the coronavirus outbreak
  Source: Asian American Journalists Association

• Finding diverse sources on deadline
  Produced from a ScienceWriters2019 session; includes links to resources for locating diverse sources. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• Science, not stigma: Navigating empowering language
  "The words and images we use to tell stories about the health of individuals and the groups to which they belong have the power to stigmatize or elevate them." Summary from a ScienceWriters2019 session; includes links to resources for locating diverse sources. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• The human ethics of global crisis reporting
  Journalists from around the world explore how science journalists can engage with local communities and collaborate with local reporters to drive accurate, unbiased coverage of global crises. Video of a session from the World Conference of Science Journalists 2017. Source: WCSJ2017. Traduction Française disponible. To see the subtitles, view the video on YouTube. Click on the gear icon to select your language. A summary article is also available.

• WMC SheSource
  A searchable online database of ~1,300 media-experienced women experts. Sign up for daily journalist updates. Have a COVID-19 source that identifies as female? Encourage them to apply to be listed on SheSource. Source: Women's Media Center

• Database of Diverse Databases
  A collection of diverse provider and source databases, including science and health. Source: Editors of Color

Taking care of yourself and others

• Covering traumatic events: Resources for journalists
  English and Chinese-language resources for reporters covering the coronavirus epidemic, including tips on covering disease, interviewing victims and survivors, and working with colleagues exposed to traumatic events. Source: DART Center for Journalism and Trauma

• Self care and peer support
  "For most journalists, Covid-19 is the biggest and perhaps most challenging news story they'll ever cover. How can journalists do their jobs while taking care of themselves?" The seventh in an archived webinar series. Source: DART Center for Journalism and Trauma

• Data security guide for journalists
  Keep yourself and your sources safe from digital intrusions. A resource sheet compiled in October 2019 by NASW volunteers who organized a ScienceWriters2019 conference session. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• Safety information
  Considerations and advice for those covering the pandemic in the field. Updated periodically. Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

• How journalists can fight stress from covering the coronavirus
  Source: Poynter Institute

• Preparing to cover public health emergencies
  A collection of resources for reporting on public health and environmental emergencies. Source: Society of Environmental Journalists

• Covering Coronavirus: Tips for Journalists
  Subscribe to a daily, weekday email that offers "news and information that journalists need to serve the public and stay safe. " Source: National Press Club Journalism Institute

Business and Financial Resources

• Details on Economic Relief for Authors
  Learn more about assistance for individual authors and journalists; assistance for small businesses, including sole proprietors; and view an outline of tax relief for individuals, businesses, and charities. Source: The Authors Guild

• Paycheck Protection Program: Why Every Photographer, Artist and Small Business Needs to Apply
  "...if you are a sole proprietor, self-employed, or an entirely IC business, you can apply for this. And you should apply for this." Source: ASMP

• Business & Financial Resources
  A compendium of resources for small businesses and independent contractors. Source: Graphic Artists Guild

• A Freelancer’s Guide to Coronavirus Aid Benefits Webinar
  Archived webinar. Originally aired April 13, 2020. Source: Freelance Solidarity Project, National Writers Union Reminder: NASW members have access to discounted membership in NWU.

Making connections

• COVID-19 discussion list
  The NASW COVID-19 discussion board aims to create a space for connecting those covering the COVID-19 pandemic, no matter the angle or geographic market, with resources, information, and each other. It is a free email discussion list for any reporter covering the COVID-19 pandemic — especially those for whom science or health is a new beat. Membership in NASW not required. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• COVID-19 Journalists
  A Twitter list of NASW member journalists covering #COVID19. Updated Fridays. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• COVID-19 PIOs
  A Twitter list of NASW member public information officers providing information about #COVID19 research. Updated Fridays. Source: National Association of Science Writers

• WFSJ Briefing site
  A curated site with global resources for scientific information, media contacts, and primary resources. Help grow this resource by adding your material. Source: World Federation of Science Journalists

Do you have a resource to share? Please email director@nasw.org with a description and link for consideration. All links must be publicly accessible.