About Doug Levy’s COVID-19 Top Stories and Doug Levy’s Explorations and Observations

Who writes this newsletter and why should I trust the information?

Veteran science/medical reporter Doug Levy is also an expert on emergency communications and health policy.

Peabody-award winning former USA Today medical reporter Doug Levy led communications at two of the nation's top medical centers and has either covered or guided communications around some of the biggest health stories of the past three decades, including hands-on roles in managing responses to H1N1 and Ebola. He is an expert on emergency communications and author of two books, The Communications Handbook for Coronavirus and The Communications Golden Hour®: The Essential Guide to Public Information When Every Minute Counts.

Why should I trust this information?

Information from a wide range of sources is included in the research leading up to each week’s newsletter. One of the major purposes of these posts is to point readers to other reliable sources.

  • Text without links means the information is based on Levy’s first-hand reporting (e.g., news conferences or events attended/covered by Levy, interviews with scientists or other experts, etc.)

  • If stories are based on scientific publications or other primary sources, links to the primary source is included.

  • If stories are based on reporting by others, there will be both an attribution to the publication and a link.

For more than 20 years, Levy has tracked medical and scientific research, combing medical journals, talking to scholars, physicians and researchers and connecting with sources around the world. At one of the world’s top academic research centers, Levy had a role as an administrator, giving him fresh insights and understanding of basic and clinical research. This is on top of his graduate work in health policy and previous graduate training in science journalism.

Each week, Levy monitors the world's news and scientific publications and identifies the few stories that matter the most to your business, your health and the decisions each of us must make. With special attention on stories that impact the way organizations are or must communicate about COVID-19 and its many consequences, this rundown is an essential tip sheet for anyone whose job includes business or government leadership, public communication, or public health.

Who pays for this publication?

This newsletter is funded by paying subscribers and Doug Levy Communications LLC, which is solely responsible for its content. Inclusion in the publication is based on Levy’s editorial judgment. No payments are accepted for the purpose of inclusion in the publication.

Levy is a freelance journalist. He also serves as a communications advisor to a large non-profit hospital system and to Tunnell Government Services, a contractor that supports the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response/Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Stay up-to-date

You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox. News rundowns are distributed most Wednesdays around 3 pm Eastern time. Major breaking news updates are sent when warranted.

In addition to Levy’s news updates, paid subscribers get access to an exclusive COVID-19 news archive and can request specific information directly from Doug.

Updates, clarifications and corrections

We welcome questions and comments, especially if you think there’s a mistake. Posts are updated or corrected as needed, with a note calling attention to any changes.

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Former medical reporter Doug Levy's pick of public health news that matters

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Former USA Today health reporter, adviser to healthcare, emergency management and public safety leaders.