Extraordinary Journalism — Special Edition

McClatchy
5 min readMar 13, 2020

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We are in the middle of the biggest story in the world, and our coverage reflects the dedication and talent of the local reporters and editors on the ground in communities nationwide.

Sacramento went all in, reporting the first case of unknown origin in this new coronavirus epidemic. Tacoma, Olympia, Tri-Cities and Bellingham — our newsrooms in the hardest-hit state in the nation, are working around the clock to deliver information that people in these communities need to make decisions about the safety of their families. The D.C. Bureau is delivering local angles on Washington’s mismanagement.

Our Real-Time and local breaking news teams have coordinated and collaborated with newsrooms to help drive our coverage and broaden our approach. Reporters and editors on these teams are finding fresh angles, providing national roundups and answering questions on the disease and personal preparation.

Our Audience Growth and Retention Team is aggressively helping to ensure our coverage reaches an ever-expanding audience with pop-up newsletters, calls-to-action and notes to readers about our decision to lower the paywall on these crisis stories.

Health reporters have stepped up across the country, along with government, business, immigration and sports reporters and editors. Indeed, this story has touched all of our newsrooms and all of our beats. We are giving our communities the news and information they need in a moment of crisis.

That is our mission. That is what it means to be essential.

Read on for this special edition of Extraordinary Journalism.

First U.S. coronavirus case of unknown origin confirmed in Northern California, CDC says

Story By Darrell Smith and Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee

Video By Meta Viers, McClatchy

First US coronavirus death confirmed in Washington. State health officials declare emergency

Story By Adam Lynn, Video By Joshua Bessex, The News Tribune

Breaking news

Accountability

NY man with novel coronavirus recently traveled to Miami. Florida just found out

Story By Ben Conarck, Video By José A. Iglesias, Miami Herald

Trump administration orders immigration courts to remove coronavirus posters — then takes it back — Miami Herald

Coronavirus evacuees passed through California military base. Did safety plan break down? — McClatchy DC and Sacramento Bee

Utility

Here’s how to make your own hand sanitizer amid coronavirus shortages

Story By Summer Lin, McClatchy Real-time

How long does coronavirus live on a sink? On an Amazon box? Early test results are in — McClatchy Real-time

A lot of toilet paper? Here’s what experts say you need in a coronavirus quarantine — McClatchy Real-time

NC Coronavirus Q&A: We answer your questions about symptoms, soap, travel, pets and more — Raleigh News & Observer

Wearing a face mask could put you at greater risk for coronavirus. Here’s why — McClatchy Real-time

Seeking solutions

The race is on for a coronavirus vaccine among military, government and private labs

Story By Tara Copp and Michael Wilner, McClatchy DC

University of California hospitals launch in-house coronavirus testing as US shortage continues — By Tony Bizjak and Hannah Wiley, Sacramento Bee

Roundups

Health officials retrace steps of latest NC coronavirus patients: voting, dining, travel

Story By Zachery Eanes and Dan Kane, Raleigh News & Observer

Coronavirus updates: First US patient dies in Washington; Trump urges calm — McClatchy Real-time

Coronavirus live updates: Number of reported cases in North Carolina rises to 7 — Raleigh News & Observer and McClatchy Real-time

Sports

SEC locks fans out of rest of tournament. Some UK fans say it’s overreaction.

Story By Jerry Tipton, Video By Marcus Dorsey, Lexington Herald-Leader

Video

Answers to your questions on origins of the coronavirus outbreak

Video By David Caraccio, McClatchy Video

Reporting By Don Sweeney, McClatchy Real-time

Who should get tested for coronavirus? Health official gives CDC rules — Sacramento Bee

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