Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Freelancers are uniquely better-prepared for current world events like the coronavirus. Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Freelancers are uniquely better-prepared for current world events like the coronavirus.".
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| | | neilmac Spain Local time: 19:14 Spanish to English + ...
"Uniquely" is a bit strong. I'm sure there are other professions or working models which are in a similar situation in terms of being used to working alone and without a lot of physical social interaction. So far, my workrate hasn't really been affected, as this year I've been mostly ticking over steadily rather than other years that were more hectic. I live in semi rural surroundings, so there is a bit more leeway in terms of being able to go out and walk the dog without changing m... See more "Uniquely" is a bit strong. I'm sure there are other professions or working models which are in a similar situation in terms of being used to working alone and without a lot of physical social interaction. So far, my workrate hasn't really been affected, as this year I've been mostly ticking over steadily rather than other years that were more hectic. I live in semi rural surroundings, so there is a bit more leeway in terms of being able to go out and walk the dog without changing my daily routine or bumping into other humans.
[Edited at 2020-03-18 08:32 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | | Disagree, but (other is missing) | Mar 18, 2020 |
I don’t know if we are better prepared. Time will tell. As freelancers we work at home every day, but we all have families and somebody in your house might become infected… | | | Liena Vijupe Latvia Local time: 20:14 Member (2014) French to Latvian + ...
In some ways, yes. Nothing much has changed for me except that (almost) everything is closed/cancelled and my travel plans are uncertain. However, we still depend on our clients. If they go out of business or reduce their activity we're just as well prepared as anybody else. | |
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Eric Zink Local time: 19:14 Member (2012) German to English Social distancing is our business model | Mar 18, 2020 |
If I my only income were from freelance translation (I also teach at a translator/interpreter academy), I would naturally go for days if not weeks without talking to anybody except my family and whoever they have over to visit (except for church on the weekends). As long as demand does not slacken due to the economic effects of this thing, lockdown could go on forever and all I would miss is church and basketball. I have met clients face-to-face about three times in the last eight or so years of... See more If I my only income were from freelance translation (I also teach at a translator/interpreter academy), I would naturally go for days if not weeks without talking to anybody except my family and whoever they have over to visit (except for church on the weekends). As long as demand does not slacken due to the economic effects of this thing, lockdown could go on forever and all I would miss is church and basketball. I have met clients face-to-face about three times in the last eight or so years of doing this. ▲ Collapse | | | DZiW (X) Ukraine English to Russian + ... Out of ~200 familiar freelancers none has $10'000+ reserve | Mar 18, 2020 |
As far as so many self-proclaimed self-employed--even in the developed countries--are very poor businesspersons for they seem don't know how to run their biz properly, let alone nesting a sizable egg or pension. For instance, I nicely asked about 200 free*lancers living in a city and working for big agencies--none of them could afford living without work even for a couple of months while often having some $5000 unpaid. On the other hand, about 50 freelancers from small towns ... See more As far as so many self-proclaimed self-employed--even in the developed countries--are very poor businesspersons for they seem don't know how to run their biz properly, let alone nesting a sizable egg or pension. For instance, I nicely asked about 200 free*lancers living in a city and working for big agencies--none of them could afford living without work even for a couple of months while often having some $5000 unpaid. On the other hand, about 50 freelancers from small towns and suburbs do have reasonable savings to live off-grid for several month. Not a pattern? ▲ Collapse | | | Agree, but... | Mar 18, 2020 |
... only if they don't have kids.
[Bearbeitet am 2020-03-18 09:38 GMT] | | | Mario Freitas Brazil Local time: 14:14 Member (2014) English to Portuguese + ...
Our routine (at home mostly) may be an advantage, but being "uniquely better-prepared" is a characteristic that applies to people who have thoroughly informed and prepared themselves for the epidemic, not the simple fact that we work at home and remain isolated most of the time. It's an illusion.
[Edited at 2020-03-18 09:44 GMT] | |
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Ana Vozone Local time: 18:14 Member (2010) English to Portuguese + ... Agree, but... | Mar 18, 2020 |
We are perhaps uniquely prepared for some sort of isolation, however, we are not prepared for the extent to which this virus will affect our clients' business and therefore our own. And because we need to keep our spirits up, here is a bit of humour! | | | Disagree, but | Mar 18, 2020 |
This question is generalising too much. There are all kinds of freelancers, and their situations are probably extremely different, depending on the profession they work in, their location, the local economy before the crisis, and so on. Some freelancers who already struggled will have an even harder time. Some freelancers who thrived will experience difficulties. Others might be not affected, or at least not yet. Some people became freelancers because they had no alternatives, and that does not ... See more This question is generalising too much. There are all kinds of freelancers, and their situations are probably extremely different, depending on the profession they work in, their location, the local economy before the crisis, and so on. Some freelancers who already struggled will have an even harder time. Some freelancers who thrived will experience difficulties. Others might be not affected, or at least not yet. Some people became freelancers because they had no alternatives, and that does not necessarily mean they are prepared for anything. Other people became freelancers because they are independent spirits, which might mean that they are prepared to deal with situations, but they also might be used to taking more risks than others, and who knows if this is a good idea right now. Personally, I became a freelancer after a long career in employed positions, and I did this only because it worked so well. I am not a risk taker, and I am also not what you'd call an independent spirit. I am prepared for a downturn in my work in the sense that I have created enough reserves to last a while. This downturn has not (yet) happened, for that matter. I have fears, but I fear more for the health of people who have the greatest risks here, than for my own situation. I am also curious. It seems that a crisis situation like this always feels kind of surreal. Normal life is disrupted. You cannot go on like before, shake hands of people, get outside for a cup of coffee and an ice cream in the spring sun. It reminds me of other situations that felt surreal in a similar way. What comes to mind first is the year 1989, when suddenly so many things changed (particularly in Germany) and happened that we thought impossible. Or, of course, it reminds of September 2001, when you simply thought "this cannot happen". I am scared, and curious, because I am unprepared. How is anyone supposed to be "prepared" for this? Are "preppers" really prepared for this? ▲ Collapse | | |
we´re just lucky to have been working from home before the virus outbreak | | | There is a big BUT | Mar 18, 2020 |
In a way it's true we are better-prepared for such a situation, but we depend on our clients no less than any other person... If whoever sends work our way undergoes economic instability, we will end up suffering it as well. | |
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From another angle | Mar 18, 2020 |
Freelancers who already self-isolate to a degree will have weaker immune systems. Like people who routinely disinfect their surroundings. And the over-vaccinated. The best-prepared will be those whose work involves close contact with lots of dirty unhygienic people in a dirty unhygienic environment. Nurses spring to mind. | | |
We ALREADY work from home We're so spoiled we don't even realise it Imagine owning a restaurant. Closed. Zero revenue. Now, if one has no clients due to the virus ... that's a problem, of course, but - fingers crossed - my clients continue to need and request translations | | |
I totally agree. The freelance translator is a unique human being in many ways. Working from home is the work model of the future. | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Freelancers are uniquely better-prepared for current world events like the coronavirus. TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
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