| Reporter Natasha Mascarenhas recently joined TechCrunch and plans to write about VC trends and early-stage startups, along with mental health, immigration, “and the different networks a founder can take to get their first check.” Natasha joins us from Crunchbase News and has been published in The Boston Globe, BostInno and The San Francisco Chronicle. We spoke briefly to discuss the coronavirus and its growing impact on the Bay Area tech community. Walter Thompson: The novel coronavirus is already reshaping how we work and do business; you’ve spoken to a lot of people in tech about how the pandemic is informing their personal and professional choices. Are you noticing any trends? Natasha Mascarenhas: I think the startups that are scrambling to go remote right now will be forced to think of ways to make work from home more accessible, even after the outbreak is contained. I don't think everyone is going to switch to remote for the rest of eternity. I do think scars will teach tech companies how to adopt remote-friendly practices going forward. I also think innovation will come out of this, as every hardship does. You are already seeing edtech startups raise their hands to help universities, and the same with cybersecurity companies sharing ways to avoid phishing scams. Which changes stand out for you the most when it comes to remote work and social distancing? I think we're realizing how many cracks are naturally built into the way we work and socialize. When schools close down, for example, some kids are left without meals. Professors don't have a game plan to conduct virtual tests. Companies are leaving their catering vendors without pay. A lot of tech companies have a status quo that depends on proximity, and quite frankly, privilege. I think every day will expose a different crack, far beyond a lack of on-demand La Croix and catered meals. Like most of the TechCrunch team, you work remotely. Any advice for someone who is WFH for the first time? Pretend like you're not. To me, that makes my mornings look like calling my parents before I check Twitter and making a cup of coffee without a podcast on. While I do enjoy rocking sweatpants, I think in order to not feel stagnant you need to feel like you're working during the work day. And sometimes that means taking a shower and wearing real clothes. Also, if you can, spring for the expensive candles and good headphones. If you have a tip for Natasha, email natasha.m@techcrunch.com or send her a DM on Twitter @nmasc_. Read more | 
