The Idaho Statesman has provided essential coronavirus reporting. Now, we need your help
Throughout all of this, I worry about Grandpa Butterfield the most.
And by “this,” you already know what I mean:
- With over 2,500 coronavirus cases reported statewide, including at least 77 Idahoans who have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
- More than 1.5 million confirmed cases in the U.S.
- More than 332,000 deaths reported worldwide.
As people are encouraged to take breaks from the constant flow of bad news about this deadly pandemic, journalists are asked to lean in and do the opposite. We’re rightfully expected to continue to dive into data, context and analysis surrounding this upheaval to daily American life — in real time.
I get emotional when I talk about how the Idaho Statesman’s staff has risen to that challenge day-in, day-out without fear or complaint. I have never been more proud of our crew.
That’s why I’m asking for your help. We’ve established a local journalism fund to help support our journalists right here in Idaho to keep doing this important work. Please consider donating at givebutter.com/IdahoStatesman.
Givebutter, which is similar to GoFundMe, is a nonprofit that is helping news organizations across the country gather donations to support journalists during this critical time.
Readers have noticed our work.
“Your paper helps to keep our community informed, during times that are changing so fast, our heads are spinning,” Cindy from Emmett wrote me. “Please know how much you and your journalists are appreciated, always, for truthful, just and great reporting.”
“Thank you to all the staff at the Statesman for providing good coverage and informative articles about the coronavirus pandemic,” Michelle, a subscriber for 13 years, emailed me. “I appreciate you working and printing the paper during this difficult time.”
“I am impressed with the Idaho Statesman’s honest and open coverage in these trying times,” Cynthia in Moscow said in an email, noting that she just subscribed because of our coronavirus coverage. “Thank you for the conscientious coverage of Covid-19 & Idaho news in general. May it long continue.”
Some readers have asked me how I can face the crush of news on a personal level in an even more draining 24-hour cycle than I’ve ever experienced before.
I do it for Grandpa B, who lives in a Pocatello assisted living facility that understandably cut off all visitation to residents from the outside world. He’s 89 and has a heart condition; he’s among the most vulnerable to the disease.
I tell myself that if the health workers caring for Grandpa B are armed with knowledge, fact-based science and up-to-the-minute trends in Idaho, they’re more likely to follow Gov. Brad Little’s four-step plan to reopen Idaho, wash their hands and social distance for the health of my grandpa.
Or for the health of your grandfather. Or mom. Or sibling. Or for you.
That’s one of the reasons why we at the Statesman, through Assistant Editor Chadd Cripe’s dogged determination and leadership, have kept a running record of what we know about every coronavirus case reported by the state’s health districts. That’s why we’ve assigned coronavirus stories to every reporter and editor we have, regardless of their previous beat or subject area. That’s why we’ve kept online access open and free to the 150 coronavirus stories we have produced over the last month.
But during that same time, some of our advertising partners have faced unprecedented economic hardship, causing them to pull ads in droves. The lost advertising revenue fallout for our already-struggling industry will be felt for months, if not years, to come. Some of our fellow Idaho journalists at other organizations have been asked to cut hours and are feeling that hardship themselves.
Because nearly all of our coronavirus stories over the first three weeks of the pandemic were free online, people weren’t subscribing at the rate they otherwise would have. Which is why, to support the future of this news organization, we have reinstated our paywall on some of our work.
Stories that provide critical health and safety updates from the state and local governments, including our running case count and other breaking news that affects your daily lives, have remained — and will remain — free.
Our more detailed and enterprising reporting from some of Idaho’s most experienced journalists went back behind the metered paywall, which allows for three free story views before you’ll get a prompt to subscribe.
If you have been a longtime subscriber, I cannot personally thank you enough for sticking with us and supporting local journalism all this time. If you have signed up for a new subscription because you have appreciated the round-the-clock updates from our reporters and editors during this unprecedented era, welcome, and thank you.
If you can’t afford a subscription because you are facing unemployment or cuts in your hours, I understand. We offer a 99 cent digital day pass to our content that I hope you’ll consider.
If you’re reading this, and you’re not a subscriber, it’s my hope you’ll consider a subscription at idahostatesman.com/subscribe or a donation today.
With your support, we can continue to offer this important work for the Treasure Valley community — and keep Idahoans like my sweet Grandpa B safe — during, and after, this unprecedented time.
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
