This editorial provides technical communicators with suggestions to make meaningful and effective communication materials to help local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technical communicators can make important contributions by providing informational and instructional materials for understanding the COVID-19 crisis. To address local conditions, meet community needs, and establish strategies for creating resources that meet current challenges, technical communicators should develop communication materials about the following categories: instructions for identifying COVID-19, steps for shopping strategically, protocols for assessing sources of information, procedures on how to care for others, and instructions on how to interact virtually. When creating materials, communicators need to consider the following factors:

• Understanding the audiences who will use the materials
• Creating versions of materials that address audience expectations and needs
• Developing materials for distribution via multiple formats
• Coordinating with local organizations to raise awareness of these resources within communities