How Bloomberg reporters are coping with the pandemic

A number of Bloomberg News reporters spoke candidly with senior health care reporter Cynthia Koons about how journalists are coping with isolation and stress of living through a pandemic, big changes in working routines, and how they’re breaking stories in an unprecedented environment.

Here are some excerpts:

“When we talk to people every day, whether it’s market strategists or economists, so many of them are flying blind as well. A lot of the models that the financial world relies on are pretty useless in this kind of pandemic. The economic issues are much more tied to the health crisis: elements like testing and vaccines. A lot of it is guesswork, despite the fact that these are intelligent and educated guesses.

During the crisis in 2008, it was a lot easier to read the tea leaves. It’s much more challenging now. So, when we talk to people, we try to look at this long term, build the narrative, and gauge what an eventual recovery might look like.”

Romaine Bostick, New York

“Living in Queens, which has been the hardest hit borough within New York City, has been a little surreal. I’ve found that throwing myself into work has been very helpful, but with two small children, that can be a challenge. I think all parents in this scenario need to give themselves a little grace: you’re doing your best in a difficult time. Try to have structure, but look to achieve balance, too. It’s not going to be perfect. You have to be flexible.”

Claire Obusan, New York

Read more here.