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Before you burn the witch, let’s talk about this article and why it could be a case of bad reporting. https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article244514157.html?__twitter_impression=true
Fact: 18 medical professionals recently tested positive for COVID19.
The hospital confirmed this in an email.
I’ll come back to these “hospital insiders” in a bit.
The hospital confirmed this in an email.
I’ll come back to these “hospital insiders” in a bit.
I don’t think the use of the term outbreak is correct. (Can someone else chime in on this point?) Misusing precise terminology in medicine and science is a red flag in my book.
“People familiar with the situation” is so vague. The journalist should have provided more context to the reader.
The Society of Professional Journalists has some great guidelines for using anonymous sources. https://www.spj.org/ethics-papers-anonymity.asp
The Society of Professional Journalists has some great guidelines for using anonymous sources. https://www.spj.org/ethics-papers-anonymity.asp
After the party an email goes out. Was it sent because of the party?
As far as we know, the email does not mention the party. All we know is that it says 18 positive covid19 cases. No one is in a condition that requires hospitalization.
As far as we know, the email does not mention the party. All we know is that it says 18 positive covid19 cases. No one is in a condition that requires hospitalization.
Look, why not show us the email? This cherry-picking of information doesn’t support the claim that these covid cases are a result of these people attending a party.
Were they sickened because they attended the party? Could it have happened at work? We’re all of the people who tested positive in attendance? If not, I’ll argue this is bad reporting.
To be clear, people should avoid social gatherings. Reporting should also be accurate.
To be clear, people should avoid social gatherings. Reporting should also be accurate.
Ok going to skip around and group the paragraphs out of order.
I’d like to see that email. It sounds like the department head sent out a message alerting everyone that people had covid. He provided the standard advice/reminders for limiting the spread of coronavirus.
I’d like to see that email. It sounds like the department head sent out a message alerting everyone that people had covid. He provided the standard advice/reminders for limiting the spread of coronavirus.
Come on. The anonymous sources can’t even agree on the details of the party. Maybe contact someone who attended or contracted covid19 in the department?
It reads like gossip. Get the facts straight before publishing a sensational piece about covid19.
It reads like gossip. Get the facts straight before publishing a sensational piece about covid19.
This is why I use the term “sensational” in the last tweet. The story is framed such that the reader will jump to conclusions without all the facts. At least that’s how I read it...
Ok, when you are reading an article that seems to be heavily one sided, please look out for quotes that incomplete sentences as they are often cherry-picked statements.
Pro tip: when you, a subject matter expert, are asked by a journalist to provide an opinion for an article, it’s always a good idea to say that you only want full sentences to be quoted.
Remember that for your next interview.
Remember that for your next interview.
Alright, two experts are quoted at the end of the article.
With so much of the information about the party and attendees being unknown, I don’t think this really helps or harms the article.
With so much of the information about the party and attendees being unknown, I don’t think this really helps or harms the article.
Hi! Are you still with me?
Now what I want to do is show you a few recent articles about positive covid19 cases that were a result of a social gathering.
You’ll see why this article about the anesthesiology residents is so problematic.
Now what I want to do is show you a few recent articles about positive covid19 cases that were a result of a social gathering.
You’ll see why this article about the anesthesiology residents is so problematic.
“The Middletown Township Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the cluster of cases, which have been linked back to a party held on July 11.” https://people.com/health/20-teens-test-positive-for-coronavirus-after-house-party-in-new-jersey/?amp=true
“Health director Daniel Krupinski told the station it’s believed the lifeguards contracted the virus during off-duty social gatherings on July 12 and 14. The health department was notified of the possible cluster on July 18 and July 19, Krupinski said.” https://www.pix11.com/news/coronavirus/over-a-dozen-lbi-lifeguards-catch-coronavirus-after-attending-party-officials-say
In both of those previous articles, the journalists are quoting health experts who describe the cluster of cases.
In the anesthesiology resident sorry, the journalist is the one alleging a cluster of cases occurred after a party.
In the anesthesiology resident sorry, the journalist is the one alleging a cluster of cases occurred after a party.
Someone from the Florida Department of Health should have been contacted for quotes, but it seems like the journalist only asked the hospital system for comments.
She needs to verify that this was a cluster of cases from a party.
She needs to verify that this was a cluster of cases from a party.
