What do journalists need right now?

Are you interested in helping journalists? Getting interviewed? Maybe putting up a website?

Here are some things the media need right now:

A short explanation of why the most recent executive order on vaccines isn’t legal or even meaningful.

A short explanation of why the executive order won’t affect vaccine policy.

A reminder of all the clinical trials that have shown vaccines work better in combination, and all the clinical trials that have shown how safe vaccines are.

A reminder that we are in the middle of a measles epidemic and why having high levels of vaccination are important.

A reminder that it’s back to school time and why having vaccination tied to school attendance and sports participation helps keep vaccination rates high.

The same techniques work for television, print, digital or radio.

Keep it short. The shorter, the better. Like this. One sentence. Really.

Three to five points. That’s it.

Drop the jargon. Seriously. Lose it. What your colleagues might think of you doesn’t matter.

And don’t be afraid to steer the conversation.

Stories stick. If you can tell a story that people can remember, that’s your best bet. Rehearse it so it’s short enough for someone to use in its entirety. Like, one minute, or one paragraph. That’s two sentences – three max.

Then stop.