We have all had to adapt during this coronavirus pandemic – including journalists

This time has proved to me once and for all that change isn’t always a bad thing – and that getting out of your comfort zone can be incredibly liberating, writes Helen Coffey

No travel? No problem – there’s always care homes, cuddles, Cummings and, er, sex advice (AP)

It’s weird being a deputy travel editor during a pandemic when nobody can travel. Nigh-on impossible, you might say. The Foreign Office blanket ban on non-essential international travel came into effect on 17 March; not long after, lockdown put paid to domestic travel too.

News stories almost dried up overnight. All our gorgeous, colourful features waiting in the wings – from Vietnam’s first eco-cruise to a Balkans roadtrip with baby in tow – had to be put on ice.

But that didn't mean there weren't lots of new things that people needed to know about given the nature of the spread of Covid-19. What did all the new rules mean and what was the best advice during lockdown? How do you wear a face mask and where can you find one? As well as reporting on those whose lives had been affected by the virus.

And so it was decided that I would pivot for a little while. Our illustrious travel correspondent, Simon Calder, could man the travel fort – meanwhile, I’d take the plunge into the multi-faceted, weird and wonderful world of lifestyle journalism.

I’m sure many of The Independent’s readers might be in a similar position – forced to shift and adjust their role to fit what’s needed in these unprecedented times. And it’s a daunting prospect at first, prompting the questions: can I handle it? Will I cope? And, my personal favourite, will everyone realise I have no idea what I’m doing?

Thankfully, those misplaced feelings of inadequacy disappeared not long after I started.

There’s a lot to be said for delving into something new. In the last couple of months, I’ve written about care homes, Dominic Cummings, and cuddles (they’re vital for our mental health, apparently). I’ve covered eating disorders, adoption, ICU nurses, gambling addictions and, ahem, sex advice. It’s been a whirlwind.

This time has proved to me once and for all that change isn’t always a bad thing – and that getting out of your comfort zone can be incredibly liberating.

Yours,

Helen Coffey

Deputy travel editor