I’m a Telegraph reporter invested in Macon and Middle Georgia. Now I need your help.

When I decided to accept the job at The Telegraph after I graduated from Mercer University in 2018, I never expected to report on a health crisis. I never dreamed that all of my favorite places to go would be shut down within a week. I definitely never thought events like the Cherry Blossom Festival and Bragg Jam would be canceled.

At the beginning of this year, I was reporting on business openings and closings, musicians performing in Macon and people who simply had amazing stories to tell. Now, I’m writing about the infection rates of nursing homes, schools planning to hold in-person classes and the many executive orders that have been signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

I realized when I started reporting on event cancellations that my job was about to change drastically. I also realized that my knowledge about the new coronavirus was minimal. My reaction to this realization reminded me of the scene in “The Avengers” where Maria Hill asked Tony Stark, “When did you become an expert in thermonuclear astrophysics?” His reply was, “Last night.”

It definitely felt like our entire world changed overnight, and with new information coming out every second, trusted local journalism became more vital than ever.

The reporters at The Telegraph have been working hard to get our readers the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are by no means perfect, but I can guarantee we are working tirelessly to produce great work.

My job would not exist without the generosity of the Peyton Anderson Foundation, so I understand how important it is for a local newspaper to have community support. That generosity has allowed me to report on the upcoming elections, how people are contributing to the coronavirus fight and positive stories happening in the Middle Georgia community.

We need help from our community to keep covering what is important to you and providing information so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family. The Telegraph has partnered with the Local Media Foundation to start The Telegraph COVID-19 Reporting Fund so people can make tax-deductible donations to support our work.

If you appreciate our coverage and would like to support us, go to givebutter.com/macon to donate.

This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.