Wash and repeat. 

So the bigger problem is everyone lives somewhere and this somewhere has landlords -This affects everyone. 

COVID-19 is affecting highly populated states more than less populated states.

If anything is a change it’s how many, many hosts trusted a company like this in the face of repeated examples that the trust was not reciprocal. 

But that opportunity is very unlikely to repeat this time around.This time, if you want to buy half-priced real estate you'd probably have to turn to hotels and retail strip centers dominated by mom and pop small businesses. 

Would this affect our buying power having this mortgage, or actually help us?

Then hopefully repeat and buy similar distressed properties in the area. 

Your job, your other investments, your plans for your family, college, retirement, health, age, and personal preference all affect what you should do.Personally, I'd be pulling the cash out to grow.

How would keeping my normal job affect my taxes?

If you need 200 square feet of drywall replaced, they will tell you what the price is to put down tarps, replace those 200 square feet and repaint the affected rooms.