Donald G McNeil Jr

Donald G. McNeil Jr. is an American journalist and author who gained prominence for his science and health reporting, particularly his coverage of epidemics and the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a summary of his recent career and current status:

Career at The New York Times

McNeil worked at The New York Times for over four decades, starting in 1976 as a copy boy and eventually becoming a science and health reporter.1 He was known for his coverage of global health issues, including HIV/AIDS, the Zika virus, and most notably, the COVID-19 pandemic.1 His reporting on COVID-19 earned him widespread recognition as one of the earliest and most prominent voices covering the pandemic.1

Departure from The New York Times

In February 2021, McNeil resigned from The New York Times following controversy over allegations that he had made racially insensitive remarks during a Times-sponsored student trip to Peru in 2019.15 The incident led to significant debate within the newspaper and the broader journalism community.2

Current Work

Since leaving The New York Times in 2021, McNeil has been working as an author on Medium.4 He has used this platform to publish essays and continue his reporting on health and science topics, including reflections on his career and the circumstances of his departure from the Times.2

Books

McNeil is the author of several books, including:

1. "Zika: The Emerging Epidemic" (2016)
2. "The Wisdom of Plagues: Lessons from 25 Years of Covering Pandemics" (more recent)3

Expertise and Recognition

Despite the controversy surrounding his departure from The New York Times, McNeil is still recognized for his expertise in global health reporting, particularly his coverage of epidemics and pandemics.2 His work has earned him accolades, including contributions to the New York Times' 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.1

McNeil continues to be a voice in discussions about public health, pandemics, and journalism, often sharing his perspectives through his writing on Medium and in interviews.2