March 12, 2020

Coronavirus and the Media

Share the goods.

In the last two days, we have heard of multiple events cancelled, companies enacting travel bans, universities moving to virtual classes, and now it seems everyone is out of toilet paper. It’s all due to coronavirus, or COVID-19. We wanted to explore the media’s role in communicating what is turning out to be a pandemic. Are they helpful? Are they spreading mass panic?

Credible Sources (or Not?)

Here is the deal. If you don’t get information from the media, where will you get it from? Is it your Aunt Karen who signs her Facebook posts, “love Aunt Karen?” She seems like a solid choice. Clearly, she is in touch with the digital world. Maybe it’s your dad, who has Fox News on repeat and carries a gun everywhere he goes, while also keeping one in his nightstand and car center console? He doesn’t seem paranoid at all.

Bias is a Thing

Now, give us a break. We aren’t naive enough to believe every source is created equal. If you want to ensure you are getting accurate, factual, up-to-date information, follow our tips below.

Diversify your news sources. Turn on NPR on the way to work, and once you’re at the office pull up CNN, CNBC, The New York Times…you get the idea. The point is to read up and read wide. Don’t rely on one source to be your truth teller.
Become your own fact-checker. Go to cdc.gov and www.who.int. Actually read up on the coronavirus and the rational precautions you should take.
Talk to a medical professional. They are educated on things that have to do with your health (obviously). For the love of all that is holy, don’t try to become your own “Google Medical Expert.”
Shut up. Don’t spread the panic. If you don’t know what you’re talking about, maybe just don’t say anything. It’s pretty simple. Don’t be Aunt Karen or your conspiracy theory dad. Stop. Think. Don’t post.

At the end of the day, media is doing what media is supposed to do. They are communicating breaking news, and they are keeping the public informed. We work with journalists every day, and we have a massive amount of respect for what they do. It sure as hell isn’t easy.

Recent Musings

When Women Build Companies, They Deserve More Than a Starter Kit

Monica Gauthier didn’t plan to own a business. She built one worth selling.

Abby Wettlaufer and Maddie Odle smile in front of the AAF Addy awards sign.

What I Learned at 8THIRTYFOUR (in Just a Few Weeks)

Something on Your Mind?

A little rain didn’t slow @bodespeaks down.

Kim was in Washington, D.C., this past week for #AUSA2026 - three days where Army leaders, industry partners, and the defense community come together for innovation, insight, and connection.

We can’t wait to hear some of her takeaways. Stay tuned for more soon.

@ausaorg #DefenseIndustry #Leadership #AUSA

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A little rain didn’t slow @bodespeaks down.

Kim was in Washington, D.C., this past week for #AUSA2026 - three days where Army leaders, industry partners, and the defense community come together for innovation, insight, and connection.

We can’t wait to hear some of her takeaways. Stay tuned for more soon.

@ausaorg #DefenseIndustry #Leadership #AUSA

Who made all these rules anyway?

Don’t wear color. Don’t share your ideas. Don’t put yourself out there. Don’t talk about your family.

We’re told to follow them, but @bodespeaks says question every single one. Then uncover your big hairy audacious goal, throw out the rulebook, and build a personal brand that actually works for you.

Thank you to Aggie and Cristy for having Kim on the @badass_women_in_business Podcast and, well... for being total badasses.

Listen to the full episode in bio.

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We had some fun in the office this week and asked some of the 8THIRTYFOUR team what “square up” means.

Surprisingly, the Gen Z of the group got it, but one of our Gen X’s did not (not saying any names…)

How do you “square up”?

#trending #fyp #squareup #agencylife

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We had some fun in the office this week and asked some of the 8THIRTYFOUR team what “square up” means.

Surprisingly, the Gen Z of the group got it, but one of our Gen X’s did not (not saying any names…)

How do you “square up”?

#trending #fyp #squareup #agencylife

The 834 Learning Hub is where we throw fun shindigs, where cool people come to work, where Big Deal Energy gathers, and where we push you to get uncomfortable.

It’s not your typical event or coworking space - and we like it that way. The lighting, colors, wallpaper, layout, and yes, the dogs, are all very intentional.

If you need a spot to host your offsite team training, leadership quarterly, photo shoot (dogs can be included), or you just need a space to network or cowork - reach out.

We got the goods:
- A sweet sound system
- State-of-the-art digital whiteboard
- A really big T.V. Like it’s big.
- Your own private entrance
- Free parking
- A dog (or two) if you ask nicely

Drop us a line at hello@8thirtyfour.com or click the link in bio to rent the Hub today.

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The 834 Learning Hub is where we throw fun shindigs, where cool people come to work, where Big Deal Energy gathers, and where we push you to get uncomfortable.

It’s not your typical event or coworking space - and we like it that way. The lighting, colors, wallpaper, layout, and yes, the dogs, are all very intentional.

If you need a spot to host your offsite team training, leadership quarterly, photo shoot (dogs can be included), or you just need a space to network or cowork - reach out.

We got the goods:
- A sweet sound system
- State-of-the-art digital whiteboard
- A really big T.V. Like it’s big.
- Your own private entrance
- Free parking
- A dog (or two) if you ask nicely

Drop us a line at hello@8thirtyfour.com or click the link in bio to rent the Hub today.

We love Dr. Karen May’s mission.

What if we taught our daughters AND our sons about women’s health, hormones, and pregnancy? Not as a whispered “talk” or a one-time awkward conversation. Just normal dinner-table stuff.

The girls deserve to know what’s coming (perimenopause shouldn’t be a surprise party nobody wanted). And the boys? They’ll be partners, dads, coworkers, and bosses to women going through all of it.

Thank you, Dr. May, for sharing your best practices to keep the women’s health conversation going at our Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause event.

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We love Dr. Karen May’s mission.

What if we taught our daughters AND our sons about women’s health, hormones, and pregnancy? Not as a whispered “talk” or a one-time awkward conversation. Just normal dinner-table stuff.

The girls deserve to know what’s coming (perimenopause shouldn’t be a surprise party nobody wanted). And the boys? They’ll be partners, dads, coworkers, and bosses to women going through all of it.

Thank you, Dr. May, for sharing your best practices to keep the women’s health conversation going at our Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause event.

Showing up to an interview with an iced coffee? Not the move… unless it’s for @bodespeaks

#icedcoffee #agency #PR #trending #grandrapids