We caught up with Ed Yong, one of science writing's master storytellers. Ed made two presentations at UAlbany under the sponsorship of the Writers Institute, the RNA Institute, and the University Libraries in February 2019. He also talked with scientists at UAlbany to discuss approaches to effective communication and public engagement in science.
Q: Any fresh news from your life?
A: I suspended my book leave to return to the Atlantic to cover the ongoing pandemic.
Q: Is there any action you would like us all to take at the present time?
A: There are now only two groups of Americans. Group A includes everyone involved in the medical response, whether that’s treating patients, running tests, or manufacturing supplies. Group B includes everyone else, and their job is to buy Group A more time. Group B must now “flatten the curve” by physically isolating themselves from other people to cut off chains of transmission.
Q: Would you like to share any of your recent articles with us?
A: "In the late hours of last Wednesday, which now feels like the distant past, I was talking about the pandemic with a pregnant friend who was days away from her due date. We realized that her child might be one of the first of a new cohort who are born into a society profoundly altered by COVID-19. We decided to call them Generation C." -- "How Will the Coronavirus End?" The Atlantic, March 25, 2020
Q: Any words of wisdom for us?
A: Stay safe.
Wash your hands.
Physically distance yourselves.
Gird yourselves for a long fight.
Dare to imagine a better world at the end of this and start working towards it now.
Ed Yong on Twitter: twitter.com/edyong209
Web site: https://edyong.me/
More Ed Yong articles from The Atlantic: theatlantic.com/author/ed-yong/
Here's a video clip of Yong discussing a baby's microbiome during his February, 2019, presentation at Page Hall on the NYS Writers Institute's YouTube channel:
Morning Joe | MSNBC, March 26, 2020