More than 1,000 people peered into their computer monitors Oct. 13 to watch science writer Ed Yong break down all things pandemic related during his online appearance as guest speaker for Salt Lake Community College’s annual Tanner Forum on Social Ethics.
Yong, who writes for The Atlantic magazine, spoke for about an hour and took audience questions afterward in a Q&A moderated by Nick Burns, SLCC associate dean of Communication and Performing Arts. The award-winning journalist and author pulled no punches as he covered ground on everything from what Yong portrayed as President Trump’s role in his administration’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic to where America goes from here.
Yong started out his day with SLCC at noon, taking part in a livestreamed student panel. More than 50 students joined moderator and assistant biology professor Melissa Hardy, who uses Yong’s writing in her classes. In a Webex format, Yong spoke and answered questions for about an hour, ending by telling students to protect the quality of their work, be professional, work hard at all times and make sure that the work meets the highest possible standards. “I think that good journalism matters now more than ever,” he concluded. “We need good people coming in (to the profession).”
Normally, Tanner speakers end their time with SLCC with their keynote address in the 1,100-seat Grand Theatre, which would have been nearly full for Yong’s presentation. The ongoing pandemic, however, forced the college to accommodate Yong online for a livestream event, which included live captions to the side of the screen. Young began by recalling a story he wrote in 2016 about how a pandemic might play out under a Trump presidency. He wrote then that it would be defined by the president’s “rash” tweeting, ignoring advice of experts and failed diplomacy.
“And here we are,” Yong said several times throughout the evening. During his address he drew from several articles he has written since the pandemic began, including the issue of so-called “long haulers,” people Yong describes as experiencing terrible symptoms of COVID for weeks or months. He talked about vulnerabilities in the United States that have been exposed by the virus: overcrowded prisons, nursing homes unable to handle a pandemic and an unprepared public health system.
Yong wrapped up his time before the Q&A by referencing his article, “America Is Trapped in a Pandemic Spiral,” in which he listed nine areas where America has failed, including what he calls the “normality trap.” “Things look normal,” he said. “We want them to be the same, but there is a pandemic – there is a virus out there – that is causing people harm that has not gone away.” Yong said it’s been “one hell of a year” and that the pandemic will not be “over” any time soon.
In a few lighter moments during the Q&A, Yong was asked about what books he’s reading, a question prompted by the online backdrop of his bookshelves. He noted that most of his reading these days includes papers being written by scientists during the pandemic. When asked what a journalist would do if left in charge of handling the pandemic, Yong said he would surround himself with and take the advice of experts to come up with and stick to a plan. On the subject of traveling to see loved ones during the holidays, Yong said he still thinks “in general it’s a bad idea,” particularly since the virus spreads most easily during prolonged visits indoors with people talking and laughing. “It’s a pandemic year, and we need to behave as if there is one,” he said. When asked, Yong said he is most looking forward to resuming research for a book he’s writing about ways in which animals perceive the world around us. He signed off by telling everyone, “Stay safe.”
Funded in part by the O.C. Tanner Company, the Tanner Forum on Social Ethics brings nationally and internationally recognized speakers to Salt Lake Community College. The forum enhances the college’s mission as a community-based learning institution that provides opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the wider community to come together for the thoughtful examination of critical issues in contemporary social ethics.
Salt Lake Community College would like to pay special recognition to the late Barbara Lindquist Tanner, who passed away in April. Barbara was a huge supporter of the college and the Tanner Forum. Her three honorary doctorates include one from SLCC. She was also named the United Way Woman of the Year. Widely known for their philanthropy, she and her husband of 78 years, Norman Clark Tanner, were also passionate about politics, the arts, education and social justice. The entire SLCC community will miss Barbara and is forever grateful for her many contributions to the college.
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