Localize it: Coronavirus

Apart of being an effective journalist is localizing stories. What does that mean? It means I examine the impact broad, national or international stories are having on our local communities. Every story must put people first, so by looking at how people are being affected in a smaller community, we understand the real implications of a large newsworthy event. 

The Chinese Coronavirus has made many headlines lately, and rightfully so. CNBC reports that 563 people in China have died so far from the disease, with a confirmed 28,000 cases reported. 

The outbreak has been devasting for the people of China, which is why countries are keeping a close eye on international travel to and from the region. People fear the spread of the virus. 

How could an outbreak in China be localized? Well, now it’s in the United States. As of Wednesday, NBC reports that 12 cases of the disease have been brought into the U.S. This may remind some Americans of the Ebola outbreak that happened back in 2014, when 11 U.S. residents were treated for virus. 

Let’s localize it even more. No cases have been reported in Alabama, but that’s not stopping the state from taking safety precautions. AL.com reports that the Department of Public Health is encouraging Alabamians who have travelled to China since last month to call 1-800-338-8374, the department’s Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division. 

That’s it right? We’ve covered our bases. Wrong. 

Let’s consider the local implications of the outbreak on a college campus, which annually brings and sends students overseas to study abroad. 

Troy University has dubbed itself as “Alabama’s International University,” and for good reason. Over 70 countries are represented on campus, and many of those students are from China. 

Troy’s 1-2-1 program allows Chinese students to study for one year in china, followed by two years in the United States and then finally one year back in their home country. In the fall, I reported that the largest class of 1-2-1 students made its way to the university; 166 students in total. 

“These students bring so much with them and I’m proud that the 1-2-1 program serves as the cornerstone for many of our international activities,” Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. stated. 

Troy University made a statement on its efforts to ensure the student body was, and will remain, virus-free. 

In an email to Troy University students and faculty, Dean of Student Services Herbert Reeves stated: 

“Troy University is closely monitoring the situation with the coronavirus that is affecting various parts of the world.  At the present time, no one on campus has been diagnosed with the virus.  Students and others who have recently traveled in the areas affected by the virus have been identified and communication with them is constant to insure early intervention should they develop symptoms.”

Reeves also stressed that students utilize the Student Health Center if they experience fever, cough or trouble breathing. 

This is also affecting study abroad trips, as all Troy University trips to China have been suspended. 

On Wednesday, Study Abroad Coordinator Sarah McKenzie hosted a booth in the Trojan Center to inform students on upcoming trips, none of which would be to China. 

“We did have one trip planned through the Confucius Institute for China in March, and because all the airlines shutdown, they’re not flying into China anymore. We had to cancel our trip,” McKenzie said. “Also, for the safety of our students going there, and also for all of us when they return; you know we didn’t want them to contract that virus and then come back and spread it around.”

As of right now, McKenzie said the Confucius Institute will not reschedule this trip to China but will ideally be able to go next spring break. 

What you just read was a lot, so thank you for making it this far. This just displayed the variety of “layers” there are to a news story. A journalist must tailor their story to the audience reading it. As a local journalist, it is our duty to report the stories that would otherwise not be told by national news organizations. 

I will periodically upload “Localize It” blog posts to display how I have personally made news stories more relevant to a college audience; so continue to come back each week for a look at my life as a student journalist.