Lena H.

Lena H. Sun is a national reporter for The Washington Post covering health, with a special focus on public health and infectious disease. A longtime reporter at The Post, she has covered a variety of beats, including the Metro transit system, immigration and education. She has also served as The Post's Beijing bureau chief. Sun's reporting on the new bird flu outbreak highlights her expertise in public health and infectious diseases. In addition to covering health-related topics, she has reported on a range of subjects throughout her career, demonstrating versatility and strong journalistic skills. Her background in communication from Cornell University and journalism from Columbia University has equipped her with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide insightful analysis on various issues. Her work as a national reporter for The Washington Post has been recognized for its depth, accuracy, and impact. Through her reporting on health topics such as COVID-19, RSV monoclonal shortage, and bird flu outbreaks, Sun has informed the public about critical health issues while maintaining high journalistic standards.

Biography:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/lena-h-sun/

83%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.

Bias

88%

Examples:

  • In one article, the author presents a quote that implies loosening isolation guidelines would prompt strong negative reactions from vulnerable groups, but this statement is misleading as it implies there are no risks associated with loosening isolation guidelines for these groups.
  • The author has a tendency to present information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) without providing counterarguments or perspectives from other healthcare professionals or patients.

Conflicts of Interest

75%

Examples:

  • There are no clear examples of conflicts of interest in the articles provided.

Contradictions

86%

Examples:

  • An article about bird flu in dairy workers mentions that human illnesses with H5N1 bird flu have ranged from mild to severe, including death in other countries, but does not clarify whether these cases were related to the current outbreak.
  • In an article about RSV monoclonal shortage, the author mentions that there is a shortage but does not provide information on why this is happening or what steps are being taken to address it.

Deceptions

85%

Examples:

  • An article about bird flu in dairy workers mentions that the patient worked directly with sick cows at a dairy, but does not clarify whether this was their primary job responsibility or if they were exposed to the virus through another means.
  • In an article about loosening COVID-19 isolation guidelines, the author presents misleading information about the risks associated with being around people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and potential consequences for vulnerable groups.

Recent Articles

Bird Flu Outbreak Affects 100 Million Poultry Birds in US: Human Cases Reported in Nine Individuals and Over 160 Dairy Herds

Bird Flu Outbreak Affects 100 Million Poultry Birds in US: Human Cases Reported in Nine Individuals and Over 160 Dairy Herds

Broke On: Tuesday, 16 July 2024 Bird flu, affecting over 100 million poultry birds across 48 US states and leading to nine human cases, has spread to dairy herds in a multistate outbreak. Extreme heat challenges farm workers' ability to follow safety precautions, such as wearing protective gear and using cooling systems that can spread the virus. Public health officials urge strong biosecurity practices and provide protective gear from the Strategic National Stockpile, while the CDC investigates the outbreak and advises against vaccination.
Measles Resurgence in the US: Vaccination and Herd Immunity as Key to Prevention

Measles Resurgence in the US: Vaccination and Herd Immunity as Key to Prevention

Broke On: Monday, 01 July 2024 Measles, a highly contagious virus eliminated in the US in 2000, has resurged with over 20,059 cases reported as of June 27, 2024. Vaccination is crucial to prevent measles and protect communities; achieving a herd immunity rate of at least 95% is essential. The MMR vaccine, approximately 97% effective, offers the best protection against this disease that can lead to serious complications and even death.
US Government Allocates $288 Million to Help Dairy Farmers and Workers Prevent Bird Flu Outbreak

US Government Allocates $288 Million to Help Dairy Farmers and Workers Prevent Bird Flu Outbreak

Broke On: Friday, 10 May 2024 The US government provides $288m in financial incentives to help dairy farmers and workers combat the bird flu outbreak caused by the H5N1 virus, affecting over 40 farms across nine states. The funds come from both the Department of Health and Human Services ($101m) and the Department of Agriculture ($98m). The USDA will offer up to $28,000 per farm for broader testing and security measures while also compensating farmers for milk production losses. Additionally, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service offers financial support to producers who supply personal protective equipment or help with<dummy00001> washing.
H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in US Dairy Cattle Exposure: Low Risk Assessment for General Public

H5N1 Bird Flu Confirmed in US Dairy Cattle Exposure: Low Risk Assessment for General Public

Broke On: Monday, 01 April 2024 On April 1, 2024, a person in the US was confirmed to have HPAI A(H5N1) virus after exposure to dairy cattle in Texas. The patient's only symptom was eye redness and this does not change the CDC's low risk assessment for general public.
CDC to Update COVID-19 Isolation Guidance Based on Symptoms, Not Time

CDC to Update COVID-19 Isolation Guidance Based on Symptoms, Not Time

Broke On: Tuesday, 13 February 2024 The CDC is updating its COVID-19 isolation guidance to recommend that people can end their isolation any time after being fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication and as long as any other remaining symptoms are mild and improving. This change reflects that most people in the US have developed some level of immunity to COVID-19 from prior infections or vaccinations, making it less necessary to isolate for extended periods.

CDC Warns of Shortage in Key Drug for Preventing Severe RSV in Infants

Broke On: Tuesday, 24 October 2023 The CDC has warned of a shortage in a key drug, palivizumab, used to prevent severe RSV in infants. The shortage is due to unprecedented demand, possibly linked to a surge in RSV cases. The CDC has recommended rationing of the drug, prioritizing infants at the highest risk of severe RSV disease.