"First Time Feeling This Sick" Peter Turkman, Face of Wall Street, Tests Positive for COVID-19

Peter Turkman (right) has been working at the New York Stock Exchange for 35 years since 1985. / Photo by Peter Turkman Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Peter Turkman (63), known as the most photographed trader on Wall Street in the United States, announced that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

On the 26th (local time), Turkman wrote on his Instagram, "I thought I should let you all know that I tested positive for COVID-19."

He added, "I am fighting hard against COVID-19," and "This is the first time in my life that I have been this sick. However, I have no breathing problems."

Turkman has been working at the New York Stock Exchange for 35 years since 1985. He is responsible for proprietary trading (where securities firms buy and sell securities with their own funds to generate profits) on the trading floor.

Mr. Turkman became famous in 2007 by featuring on the front page of the New York Daily News. / Photo by Peter Turkman, Instagram capture

Turkman became famous when he appeared on the front page of the American media outlet 'New York Daily News' in February 2007, during the New York stock market crash, with his arms spread wide and head raised, showing a shocked expression.

Since then, he has become a favorite model for photographers covering the New York Stock Exchange trading floor and earned the nickname "the most photographed trader on Wall Street."

Meanwhile, as of this date, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States reached 83,836, surpassing China (81,782), which had been number one, and Italy (8,589), which was second, making the U.S. the country with the highest number of cases worldwide.

In particular, New York State has 32,966 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the highest among the 51 states in the U.S. As a result, the New York Stock Exchange has closed its trading floor since the 23rd and replaced all trading with electronic trading.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.