The Good: The documentary is starting to get out there and will soon be able to be seen by the public. I am excited for people to see it and can’t wait to hear the feedback. A jury at the SoCal Film Awards has already honored it with the Diamond Award for Best Documentary Feature and an award for Best Score. We have been accepted into two more festivals (Spirit of Cinema Awards and the Believe Psychology Film Festival) both of which will stream online, giving people a chance to see this work. I am thrilled and hopeful as I wait for more festivals to respond.
I have also been having a great time working a project for KESQ about the Salton Sea. I had a great day kayaking and getting an amazing airboat ride. Great to get out and shoot and be in nature.
The Bad: In the past couple weeks I have had a friend hit by a car while doing a story and had another friend taken away from the newsroom in an ambulance. The toll that this job takes on people cannot be understated. It is dangerous and unhealthy at times but ultimately for a greater good. You would expect danger when covering war, riots and violence, but sometimes the danger is just being out covering the world. I appreciate the risks and sacrifices that people in news make to serve a greater purpose.
The Ugly: I’ve gotten to the point where I have gloves and an envelope set aside in my office to deal with the hate mail and threats that come to the station. It is unbelievable to me that there is so much anger being directed at the media. Especially at a time when what we do is so crucial. We provide so much needed information and oversight during this health crisis. Working to ensure equity and transparency in the governments accounting of and response to the COVID 19 crisis. But instead of appreciation for our efforts, we get blame and hate. I am proud of the important work we have been doing at this historic time, and I thank everyone in every job in the media that contributes to our mission. I hope that whether or not the media is appreciated, that the work we do makes a difference and helps get us through this difficult time.
Lens Flares: Trauma in Journalism 
Timothy – I am so sorry to hear of the ongoing heartache in your industry. The ‘hate mail’ is so disturbing. In this time of Covid-19 & Civil unrest journalists have been all of our lifelines to important & potentially life saving information. I want to thank you & your colleagues for the tremendous work you do & for the many risks you take for the ‘good’ of all. If you have any tips of how we can all support & thank our local & national journalists, please let us know. Take care of you! Warmly, Dr. Sara
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