This article argues that the capacity to communicate effectively with constituents is a fundamental function of modern governance. Government communication capacity is not just about efficient and effective information dissemination. The willingness and ability to speak with citizens must be coupled with a willingness and ability to listen to them, incorporate their needs and preferences into the policy process. The ability of a government to communicate with its citizens has important implications. Well organized, the government communication apparatus and skilled staff will play more of roles, all of which are central to the evolution of effective, responsive, and accountable governance. In the same order of ideas, this article contends that effective government communication performs major roles in successfully responding to pandemics. The more challenging the pandemic is, the more attention needs to be focused on effective government communication. Guiding an effective response to the global pandemic has required leaders to demonstrate not only effective planning and coordination skills, but the ability to communicate clear consistent messages in an empathetic manner as well.