## Lessons I’ve Learned From Reporting on a Pandemic
By Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times Science Reporter
March 11, 2020, is a day I’ll never forget. It was the day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. At the time, I was a science reporter for The New York Times, and I was tasked with covering the developing story.
In the two years since, I’ve learned a lot about pandemics. I’ve learned about the science of the virus, the public health response, and the social and economic impact of the pandemic.
I’ve also learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned that I’m more resilient than I thought I was. I’ve learned that I can handle uncertainty and stress. And I’ve learned that I’m passionate about using my journalism to make a difference in the world.
Here are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned from reporting on the pandemic:
* **Science is important.** Science is the foundation of public health. It’s how we understand diseases and develop treatments and vaccines. It’s also how we track the spread of a pandemic and make decisions about how to respond.
* **Public health is important.** Public health is the practice of protecting and improving the health of a population. It includes things like disease surveillance, vaccination, and health education. Public health is essential for preventing and controlling pandemics.
* **Social and economic factors play a role in pandemics.** The spread of a pandemic is not just a matter of biology. It’s also a matter of social and economic factors, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination. These factors can make people more vulnerable to infection and make it harder to control the spread of the virus.
* **Communication is key.** Clear and accurate communication is essential for managing a pandemic. The public needs to understand the risks of the virus, the steps they can take to protect themselves, and the role they can play in controlling the spread of the virus.
* **Resilience is important.** Pandemics are stressful and disruptive. They can cause illness, death, and economic hardship. But it’s important to remember that we are resilient. We can get through this together.
Reporting on the pandemic has been a challenging but rewarding experience. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve met amazing people, and I’ve made a difference in the world. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have covered this story, and I’m committed to continuing to report on the pandemic until it’s over.
## Additional resources
* [The New York Times COVID-19 Hub](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html)
* [The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 website](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html)
* [The World Health Organization COVID-19 website](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019).
