Jerry Iannelli, a staff reporter with the Miami New Times, an alternative weekly publication, was at Target on Tuesday stocking up on supplies for life under coronavirus social-distancing guidelines when he got an email from his papers corporate management.

Iannelli, like countless reporters nationwide, has spent the last two weeks working day and night to cover the spread of the pandemic and its effects on his community, providing vital coverage to readers desperate to keep up with news about the virus, official responses to it, and the lives and businesses it has put at risk. Now, he is among the growing number of workers whose jobs have been put at risk.

The memo said that because of the economic impact of the pandemic, layoffs will very likely be necessary at Voice Media Group, which owns alt-weeklies across the country.

In the interim, effective Wednesday, every employee of Voice Media Group, which includes Denver Westword, Phoenix New Times, Houston Press, Dallas Observer, Miami New Times and Broward New Times, had their pay cut: 25% for employees making less than $80,000, 30% for those making more than that, and 35% for executives.

Losing a quarter of your salary is devastating, Iannelli said. I wouldnt say it was a large salary to begin with. ... Im sitting here wondering if I have to move apartments. I immediately will have to rebudget my entire life.