The Amish and COVID-19: A Media Survey

Abstract

The Amish are a frequent topic of media coverage. The simple fact of Amish involvement often elevates a mundane story to a newsworthy one. Accordingly, the Amish received extensive coverage with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, I survey media output on the Amish and COVID-19 for the period of March to November 2020, drawing on conventional media stories covered on the Amish America website in addition to many others. I identify and analyze several common themes of Amish COVID coverage, including Amish attitudes toward the pandemic, negative reporting, and Amish responses to both the virus and the restrictions put in place to combat the pandemic.