Case Study of a Senior Health Official During and Following the COVID-19 Pandemic and Health Crisis

Abstract

This study examined newspaper articles concerning Dr. Anthony Fauci and COVID-19 before, during, and after recognition of the impact of the virus in the United States, and later declaration that the pandemic was over. Specific research questions focused on type of newspaper article, positive and negative content themes, and specific reputation or character attacks upon Fauci and his defense. The eight largest by subscription national and regional newspapers provided 150 articles drawn from early in the COVID-19 crisis, middle phases, and when it was declared over. Most articles (96 of 150) fell into the general reporting or news category, with 17 identified as opinion. Experimenter judgment and automated content analysis software found themes in descending frequency of COVID-19, Diversity and Society, Politics, General, Communication, Values, and Expertise. Character or reputational attacks included name calling, motivation questioning, and challenges to Fauci’s credibility and trustworthiness. To defend himself, Fauci used apologia and name calling or labeling. Future senior health officials may consider developing more robust communication strategies in future inevitable health crises to contend with uncertainty, communication fatigue, and seemingly inevitable reputational attacks.