We all have had our coronavirus moment by now — the one that leaves you wondering how bad this will get.

Mine was a few weeks ago. I had written to the team that developed one of our early models, telling them their work would accelerate lockdown efforts and ultimately save lives. It had been a great day for journalism, and I was proud of their efforts.

Twelve hours later, I got a phone call from a friend on a different team in the newsroom.

“I’m going for a test.”

That test, we learned the next day, was positive. The first known coronavirus case in our company had found one of our best journalists.

By now all of us likely know someone with the virus. Maybe it’s someone from work, or a neighbor. The cousin we only see at big family gatherings.

This thing is racing across our state. It already has killed more New Jerseyans than 9/11 and we still haven’t seen its worst. But every day, our journalists are working around the clock to help keep you safe and informed.

Today, we’re asking for your help.

Simply put: We must have financial support from our readers to provide the essential journalism that serves and informs our communities. Your voluntary subscription to NJ.com — $10 per month — will help us continue this vital work.

Why now?

The cost to produce the great journalism like you can find here — in time and money — continues to climb, and Covid-19 is taking advertisers and print subscribers from us. Our industry has been in financial crisis for at least 15 years and will not survive unscathed. Already journalists across New Jersey are being furloughed and laid off. Entire newsrooms will close.

We understand the timing is not ideal, even at just 33 cents per day. Worldwide, peers have been asking digital readers to pay for content through direct contributions, payments and subscriptions for years. Today, however, is the first time we are asking NJ.com readers like you for direct financial support.

We hope your interest in our work, especially our coronavirus reporting, speaks to the value we provide. We are on top of the story 24/7, leading with breaking news coverage, analysis and opinion.

We have added valuable services: a free coronavirus newsletter and a free texting service that sends updates and alerts to your phone. We already have launched three initiatives to serve our communities: the Community News & Resource Desk; our #TogetherNJ project; and NJ is Open* — a free service to connect businesses to folks like you.

Those are just some ways we serve you – even during a global pandemic. We appreciate your readership, support and encouragement. If you have an idea, a question or a note I can forward to our staff, please email me at kwhitmer@njadvancemedia.com.

So, please, act now by clicking this link. Your decision today will help us continue to deliver the vital, quality journalism that our communities need. Thank you for your support.

Kevin Whitmer is Senior VP for Content, Expansion and Development and the lead editor for NJ Advance Media properties.