The Washington Post’s Taylor Lorenz is making headlines again after she went after her own colleague for a comment about COVID-19.
Helaine Olen, an opinion columnist for the Post, took to Twitter to react to a story about radio host Howard Stern leaving quarantine for the first time since 2020.
“At some point we’re going to need to begin a conversation about the people still too afraid to leave their homes because of Covid,” Olen tweeted.
She added, “I personally know of two such cases. This is not a healthy way to live.”
At some point we're going to need to begin a conversation about the people still too afraid to leave their homes because of Covid. I personally know of two such cases. This is not a healthy way to live. https://t.co/DiZE14MJH2
— Helaine Olen (@helaineolen) October 4, 2022
Lorenz took issue with her colleague’s tweet and replied, “What an absurd, insensitive thing to post. Thousands are dying per week, millions are disabled and we have zero effective drugs that prevent infection.”
She continued, “Immunocompromised ppl don’t deserve condescending comments abt being ‘too afraid’ of a virus that can kill or severely disable us.”
Taylor Lorenz attacking fellow Washington Post columnist @helaineolen 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/MbI73eoDvF
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) October 4, 2022Was it an "insensitive" thing to post?
Lorenz briefly deleted the tweet and then reposted it.
In June, the Post issued its updated social media policy to staff.
“A Post journalist’s use of social media must not harm the editorial integrity or journalistic reputation of The Post,” the memo stated, obtained by Fox News.
It continues, “Your association with The Post gives you a large platform and may bring you a blue checkmark and added followers. Along with that comes our collective responsibility to protect that integrity and reputation. This guidance applies to content you post or amplify – such as in a retweet, like or share – on any digital platform.”
This is not the first time Lorenz has gone after a reporter.
Last month, Lorenz criticized MSNBC reporter Morgan Radford over an interview that went viral in which she broke down in tears.
“No bigger regret in my career than making the mistake of thinking [Morgan Radford] knew how to accurately report on abuse/ harassment,” Lorenz wrote in a tweet.
She continued, “Her complete mishandling of the story has led to immense fallout and months of abuse. I cannot warn women loudly enough to stay away from her/MSNBC.”
Additionally, Lorenz sparked a backlash in April for her reporting on the “Libs of TikTok” Twitter account, as IJR reported.
