Thread by @courtneymabeus

For the first time in my professional career, I’ve been furloughed along with most of the amazing Military Times staff. This is the direct result of the #CoronavirusPandemic

I will be away from @NavyTimes until at least April 6, maybe longer. It starts at COB today.

I am stunned and my hands are shaking as I write this. I am a journalist and to be told I cannot work at my job during this historic time is extremely frustrating.

We are storytellers who help write the first draft of history. Right now, the stories are coming from every angle.

Earlier today I’d been working to create a spreadsheet to track Navy-related #covid19 cases.

I am crushed and know I am not alone. There are a lot of people out there who have already gotten similar news or who will get it in coming days and weeks.

I worry about the stories that will go untold. The institutions that won’t get held to account, the lives endangered as a result.

I don’t know what happens after a few weeks but I’ll be OK. I am as committed as ever to storytelling.

For right now: Take care of each other. Wash your hands. Stay home, if you can.

And a plea: please keep reading those who will remain. @Meghann_MT @haltman @LeoShane @Kyle_Rempfer and @simkinsjourno do incredibly important work. (Sorry if I left anyone off there, please tag those I overlooked).

I say it a lot: #SupportLocalJournalism

@NavyTimes is considered a trade pub but when you cover the whole Navy, every story is “local.”

And to the many of you who have already written with support or sent messages, please know I am so, so grateful. I will do my best to respond to everyone as soon as I can. I am so overwhelmed, and in a very good way.

To all the sailors, and families of, who trusted me with their stories, I am eternally grateful. I hope we can pick back up in two weeks @NavyTimes but we'll see.

Your stories remain vital, particularly now. Keep telling them. Your voices need to be heard.