COVID-19, Science, and the Media: Lessons Learned Reporting on the Pandemic

Date: 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 12:30pm

Location: 

Harvard Law School—Online

In January 2020, reports began to circulate internationally of a pneumonia-like illness spreading in China. Little was known about the novel pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, at that time.

As scientists and public health experts worked to understand the virus, reporters worked to communicate to the public the state of the knowledge — an ever-shifting ground.

From the transmission debate, to the origins investigation, to changes in mask guidance, to vaccine safety concerns, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a particularly precarious nexus of science, politics, journalism, social media, and policy. This panel discussion will reflect on this tenuous situation, potential areas of improvement in pandemic reporting, and lessons learned from recent experience.

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