COVID-19 and the Media: How it is affecting the media and your mental health
The following article was featured in the May 2020 edition of The Campus.
By Sarah Logan
As the number of Coronavirus cases in the United States rises, news organizations in New York and the U.S. are struggling to keep up. Every day, thousands of articles are written about the virus highlighting distinct topics and lenses. With the state of the virus changing rapidly, the media is trying to provide the public with a wealth of information.
Through this crisis, The Campus is working to produce as much content as possible for its readers. Lauren Pires, a writer for The Campus, has written an article on the closing of The Towers dormitory due to the virus. Our Editor-in-Chief, Aspasia Celia Tsampas, has written a Quarantine Reading List to follow if you are looking for your next read. Both articles can be found on The Campus’ website. You can find other helpful articles within this month’s magazine.
Students studying at The City College of New York (CCNY) have been covering the virus by utilizing their own experiences and angles. The news outlet Harlem View has recently posted articles on the Coronavirus. Another student writer, Sajina Shrestha, covers the effect of the virus on a local restaurant in her neighborhood of Jackson Heights, Queens. Another student writer, Samir Dominguez, recounts the past month as he cared for his mother who was sick with COVID-19. Focusing on how the Coronavirus is affecting single mothers and their children’s education, Ariana Cruz also discussed how the virus is affecting her local community.
Nationally, the news has been bursting with new stories each day. The articles range from a wide variety of topics, anything from the virus’s economic effects to the capacity of mortuaries in New York. On cable television stations like CNN and CBS, breaking news is played for most of the day to notify the public on the progression of COVID-19.
Statewide, Governor Andrew Cuomo has press conferences to update New Yorkers and Americans on COVID-19 and its effects on New York State specifically. More official news from the governor can be found on the website: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news.
Social media has also participated in the wide spread of information. Platforms like Facebook have a page titled Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center. There, users can find helpful resources like links to the CDC’s Facebook page and tips for when you are feeling disconnected from the world. Political figures are also utilizing Twitter to reach out to the American public.
If you are beginning to feel like the overabundance of information is beginning to take a toll on your mental health, you are not alone. According to the Pew Research Center of Journalism & Media, 51% of surveyed adults feel that they are following the news about COVID-19 closely. According to a study conducted by Karin Wahl-Jorgensen of NiemanLab, out of 9,387 stories about the outbreak, 1,066 of the articles mentioned the words “fear” or similar frightening language like “afraid.” About 50 articles used the phrase “killer virus.” Wahl-Jorgensen’s article can be found here: https://www.niemanlab.org/2020/02/feeling-panicked-about-coronavirus-media-coverage-of-new-epidemics-often-stokes-unnecessary-fear/.
This time has been leaving many Americans feeling uneasy, stressed, and anxious. However, it is important to remain calm and mindful about the situation. The American Psychological Association has provided some tips to follow when the incessant media coverage of the virus starts affecting you. It can be found here: https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/pandemics. One tip states to keep the virus in perspective by reminding yourself that a large population has survived the virus. Another tip is to keep connected with family members and friends virtually.
Keeping calm during this crisis is essential. Consuming media in a mindful way is important when information is being pumped out daily. Therefore, make sure that you are taking care of your mental health, as well as your physical health, during this crisis.
