Journalism program self-quarantines after possible exposure to COVID-19
Update 3/11/2020: This article has been updated to include additional information from the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Californian Josh Yuen.
Amidst President Donald Trump’s 30-day travel ban with Europe, 24 students at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism have self-quarantined after possible exposure to COVID-19, colloquially known as the coronavirus, as first reported by the Mercury News.
The students were instructed to self-quarantine after an attendee of the 2020 National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference was tested “presumptively” positive for COVID-19 returned home, according to an email to students from Graduate School of Journalism Dean Edward Wasserman.
Executive Director of Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. Doug Haddix told the Mercury News that the individual who was tested “presumptively positive” has experienced relatively mild symptoms and is expected to fully recover.
The Daily Californian shares a building with the Graduate School of Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program, or IRP.
“The Daily Californian is aware of the situation regarding IRP,” said the Daily Cal’s Editor-in-Chief Josh Yuen. “As of now, we will continue to operate our normal production cycle but will make adjustments as needed.”
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Mallika Seshadri is the city news editor. Contact her at mseshadri@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter at @SeshadriMallika.