Print Newspapers and Coronavirus
March 17, 2020 10:01 PM Subscribe
Is there any valid reason for my newspapers to stop delivery, or printing, during the outbreak?
My wife got an e-mail from our local newspaper, to which we have a subscription. The e-mail said there were questions or concerns about the coronavirus being spread through paper. (I am paraphrasing.) And the e-mail said something about disruptions, implying that we might not be getting our delivery or even a print paper at all.
If I try to Google this issue in general, I just get news about the virus.
Is there any validity to fears about the virus being spread through paper? What about other precautions? Or is my local paper likely just looking for ways to cut back?
My wife got an e-mail from our local newspaper, to which we have a subscription. The e-mail said there were questions or concerns about the coronavirus being spread through paper. (I am paraphrasing.) And the e-mail said something about disruptions, implying that we might not be getting our delivery or even a print paper at all.
If I try to Google this issue in general, I just get news about the virus.
Is there any validity to fears about the virus being spread through paper? What about other precautions? Or is my local paper likely just looking for ways to cut back?
The part about disruptions in service could refer to having problems with printing or delivery logistics. I got a similar notice from a magazine talking about possible interruptions with the mail.
posted by likethenight at 10:32 PM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by likethenight at 10:32 PM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]
I haven't seen print newspapers listed as an "essential service," like health care, grocery stores, or gas stations, e.g. What does 'shelter in place' mean? California's coronavirus order, explained (Guardian)
posted by katra at 10:59 PM on March 17, 2020 [1 favorite]
Residents “may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential business or government services”.So it could be an indication of a possible future need to shut down a service deemed 'nonessential' by the government, or not wanting to require employees to work in conditions that don't allow maximum social distance.
The key word here is “essential”. Going to get groceries, seeking medical attention, bringing a dog to a veterinarian or picking up medication are all activities that officials consider essential. Residents working in the healthcare field will be able to go to and from their jobs. Workers with jobs such as garbage collection will be able to continue their work.
posted by katra at 10:59 PM on March 17, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seattle has an alt weekly, The Stranger, that has stopped print publication and laid off employees because advertising for events has dried up.
posted by jojo and the benjamins at 6:15 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by jojo and the benjamins at 6:15 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seconding katra and jojo and the benjamins - it's likely a combination of saving money and not exposing their workers (especially delivery people) to unsafe conditions.
Here what my local alt-weekly paper, the Cleveland Scene, has to say about it:
"Scene, like other altweeklies, serves its readership with both timely news as well as stories and advertising based on gathering together, for concerts, meals, events and parties.
It is those very things that, by edict of the state of Ohio or through voluntary decisions, have now been put on old to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus. To prevent as many deaths as possible, to help flatten the curve and assure that our healthcare system maintains the ability to deal with and treat patients, we can not get together. And we can not, in good faith, ask staff to come to the office, ask drivers to distribute a paper, or suggest in any way that anyone should be leaving their houses except for all but the most necessary of reasons. We are all responsible for each other."
posted by soundguy99 at 6:39 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Here what my local alt-weekly paper, the Cleveland Scene, has to say about it:
"Scene, like other altweeklies, serves its readership with both timely news as well as stories and advertising based on gathering together, for concerts, meals, events and parties.
It is those very things that, by edict of the state of Ohio or through voluntary decisions, have now been put on old to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus. To prevent as many deaths as possible, to help flatten the curve and assure that our healthcare system maintains the ability to deal with and treat patients, we can not get together. And we can not, in good faith, ask staff to come to the office, ask drivers to distribute a paper, or suggest in any way that anyone should be leaving their houses except for all but the most necessary of reasons. We are all responsible for each other."
posted by soundguy99 at 6:39 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Is there any valid reason for my newspapers to stop delivery, or printing, during the outbreak?
Is it possible that any of the employees involved in printing the paper have been exposed / are infected with the virus? Yes.
How close to the newspaper employees have to stand together to produce a printed version of the paper? Closer than six feet? Then yes, there's a valid reason.
posted by jzb at 8:53 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Is it possible that any of the employees involved in printing the paper have been exposed / are infected with the virus? Yes.
How close to the newspaper employees have to stand together to produce a printed version of the paper? Closer than six feet? Then yes, there's a valid reason.
posted by jzb at 8:53 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: As someone who works in newspaper distribution, I think there are several potential factors, though I don't know what the specific thinking might be. I am most worried about infection and the threat of infection leading me to lose my carrier force. I do not have significant capacity to pick up that slack, and loss of carriers will mean there are areas I can only reach by mail or digital service. That could also happen in the production facilities, which could be even worse in its impact.
In my state, though we have been ordered to close non-essential businesses, newspapers and other media are considered essential. This makes sense as newspapers are the best way for local governments to share reliable, factual information about COVID-19 and especially local impacts. The last few days, we have featured huge lists of cancelled events as well as instructions from local medical facilities about what to do in the event of a suspected infection. These instructions seem to change daily, so this information is important. That said, who knows what the next few weeks will bring?
Finally, just like most every business going today, this will have a significant financial impact on all newspapers, which are - as a group - very much not in a position to weather an ongoing financial hit. Newspapers will close, I suspect, especially if we head into some of the more dire forecasts that are floating around right now about the impact of the virus.
I will say, I am somewhat surprised that they put out a specific notice about it, but I would guess they're trying to prepare for the worst case.
posted by dellsolace at 11:59 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
In my state, though we have been ordered to close non-essential businesses, newspapers and other media are considered essential. This makes sense as newspapers are the best way for local governments to share reliable, factual information about COVID-19 and especially local impacts. The last few days, we have featured huge lists of cancelled events as well as instructions from local medical facilities about what to do in the event of a suspected infection. These instructions seem to change daily, so this information is important. That said, who knows what the next few weeks will bring?
Finally, just like most every business going today, this will have a significant financial impact on all newspapers, which are - as a group - very much not in a position to weather an ongoing financial hit. Newspapers will close, I suspect, especially if we head into some of the more dire forecasts that are floating around right now about the impact of the virus.
I will say, I am somewhat surprised that they put out a specific notice about it, but I would guess they're trying to prepare for the worst case.
posted by dellsolace at 11:59 AM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Our local alt-weekly just closed entirely, because they no longer can get advertising revenue from events and businesses under the circumstances. I would assume it's more likely that your newspaper will keel over financially rather than "you can catch it over paper."
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:14 PM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:14 PM on March 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen print newspapers listed as an "essential service," like health care, grocery stores, or gas stations
The Alameda County shelter-in-place order explicitly lists newspapers under Essential Businesses:
The Alameda County shelter-in-place order explicitly lists newspapers under Essential Businesses:
10. Definitions and Exemptionsposted by Lexica at 2:45 PM on March 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
…
f. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:
i. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
ii. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock,and fishing;
iv. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services,and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
v. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
vi. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
vii. Banks and related financial institutions;
viii. Hardware stores;
ix. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
x. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
xi. Educational institutions—including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
xii. Laundromats, drycleaners, and laundry service providers;
xiii. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
xiv. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
xv. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
xvi. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
xvii. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
xviii. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
xix. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
xx. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
xxi. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions:
1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
2. Children shall not change from one group to another.
3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.
4. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.
Response by poster: Thanks, all. It seems like the possibility of losing workers to the virus is the most reasonable explanation.
posted by NotLost at 1:59 AM on March 28, 2020
posted by NotLost at 1:59 AM on March 28, 2020
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posted by rogerroger at 10:22 PM on March 17, 2020 [2 favorites]