In 2021, we partnered with the New York Times and Johns Hopkins University to create an interactive guide to help U.S. residents navigate COVID-19 risk by county. The guide, which was active from January 2021 to March 2022, used principles of alert level systems, which are a valuable means for public health officials to communicate risk for infectious diseases and also help save lives while reducing impacts on livelihoods. The wide reach and prestige of the New York Times meant that the guide was accessible to, and trusted by, millions of readers.