Why we’re campaigning to make a difference for you

To mark Journalism Matters Week, in the second of three special articles we look at how the Evening Post has covered the coronavirus pandemic that has gripped Wales during 2020

FROM early reports in China of a deadly new virus, to the first case in Wales right here in Swansea; and from the very first full lockdown to the latest set of local lockdowns, the Post has been at the forefront of reporting how coronavirus has affected life in South Wales and beyond.

First mentioned on our world news pages at the start of the year, in a terrifyingly brief space of time the pandemic became arguably this generation’s defining story.

A few short weeks after the first UK case was identified, on Feburary 29 9 the Post’s front page reported orted the first case had been een confirmed in the city.

Within three weeks, , pubs had been asked to shut. By the end of March we were in full lockdown. Film studios and leisure centres were set to be drafted in as a field hospital. People were e dying at an alarming ng g rate.

Of couse, scientists ts have warned for decc ades that the world was overdue another global pandemic.

And yet the devastating speed with which our previously “normal” life has unravelled in a few short months remains astonishing.

We’ve witnessed – and reported on – the tragic consequences of a new virus that has killed thousands of loved ones across the nation, and left many others suffering debilitating long-term health consequences.

At every step we’ve chronicled how our “everyday” existence has had to adapt. Such as how the education system has had to change – with varying degrees of success – to cope with the unprecendented challenges that 2020 has wrought, not least in the most disrupted exam season in living memory.

We’ve looked behind the massive policy announcements to tell the human stories behind them. For instance, the stories of those working in the hospitality industry, as pubs, clubs and restaurants across South Wales struggle with the harsh economic reality of lockdown. Or catching up with the families and communities split by the lockdown measures designed to protect them against further waves of this most pernicious of viruses.

We’ve not shied away from holding those in power to account, and clarifying the sometimes confusing public messages emanating from our political leaders.

Neither have we shied away from highlighting those who have flouted the rules at a time when the vast majority have, with admirable stoicism, made major sacrifices in their lives.

And, above all, we’ve honoured those working on the frontline of the NHS for their unstinting efforts. Long after the echoes of the last clap for carers have died down, we continue to tell the stories of the fantastic health workers who have given so much – in some cases making the ultimate sacrifice – to look after us in our hour of need.

In everything we’ve reported on, we’ve abided by some key golden rules:

We will only report data we know to be true, and presen present it in context; We w will fight on behalf of our c communities; and W We will always seek to have the informat tion readers need to l live their lives in uncertain times.

And while the pandemic continues to dominate our lives in so many ways, we also know many aspects of normal life are continuing, and our commitment to covering this remains unchanged.

These haven’t been easy times for anyone. In the media in industry we have fa faced our own welld documented challe lenges. And we moved, almost overnight, from an operation publishing the Post from a newsroom to a team having to adapt to working remotely, and working safely within the strictures of social distancing.

Through it all, we’ve aimed to do the very best for our readers.

In the Post’s long history this is not the first global pandemic we have covered.

But it’s doubtless the health crisis we’ve covered more in-depth than any other. And through it all, we are there with you. Every step of the way.