Coronavirus threat highlights the need for local news. Support The Herald’s work.

The threat of coronavirus, followed by the flood of information across America, has brought special emphasis to the value of local news.

So, today I’d like to have an honest conversation with you, the readers of The Herald.

It’s more important than ever to know what’s going on around you. The Herald has been your leading local news provider in York, Lancaster and Chester counties for decades.

In this perilous period, The Herald staff has been even more vigilant, ensuring that you have valuable information to help you remain safe, protect others, and navigate your lives amid social distancing and strong urging to stay at home.

We will continue to provide this service.

In the past weeks we’ve lowered our paywall so everyone can have access to our reporting. We believe that is the right thing to do. It’s also our responsibility since we are protected by the U.S. Constitution as the “Fourth Estate.”

It’s clear that you’re reading our articles. In March our digital readership was the highest ever.

We will continue to give you free access to information that keeps you safe and informed about COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

However, we’re also asking for your support. We want you to become Herald subscribers.

Many businesses that advertise with us have had to close due to the social distancing orders. This has had a dramatic effect on our advertising revenue.

And since most of our stories have been free for everyone during this time, readers have purchased fewer subscriptions. Subscriptions are absolutely critical to our ability to sustain the level of coverage we’ve provided.

Here is a link to a special subscription offer.

If you’re already a subscriber, there’s another way you can help.

Thanks to a partnership with Report for America, we are adding a new staff member this summer who will focus on covering Chester County.

We need reader support to raise the matching funds to make this work possible.

Individuals, organizations and businesses can make a tax-deductible donation directly to Report for America using the form at https://bit.ly/2X4YUZa. All of the money will go directly to pay the salary of our new reporter.

The Herald will continue to provide useful and critical information as we move through this most crucial period. One story theme that consistently surfaces is how people in this region help each other in tough times.

It’s a tough time for newsrooms nationwide, but we will push forward. I hope that you will support our efforts.

Thank you

This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 8:37 AM.