News organizations accustomed to following leads and filing political analyses are being challenged now to perform service journalism so readers and viewers understand the new coronavirus and how to protect their families.
The Seattle Times' website tells readers what percentage of people with coronavirus get a fever, and how many get a cough.
“We're super in-touch with our readers here,” said Lynn Jacobson, deputy managing editor of the Seattle Times.
Grateful readers have had pizza and Vietnamese sandwiches delivered to the Seattle Times' newsroom, she said.
Following the day's news is what most journalists are oriented toward doing, and some might consider service features boring or something that readers can look up online, he said.