Italy

My cousin and her husband live in Northern Italy. They have been in lodkdown for two weeks. We have been emailing every couple of days and always resound within hours. I emailed her yesterday morning and no response. I am getting a bit worried.

So for the first time our broken dysfunctional society, where many of us (not all) rarely or never see or get a phone call from our children are actually benefiting from our isolated existence. We can't catch COV 19 from our grandchildren if we are not given the opportunity to see them. What a sad place the UK has become.

What on earth do you need 45kgs for shortlegs?

It's because they didn't act on it quick enough , a bit like the uk . Now we know what we have to look forward too .

Callistamon
It's exactly the same in Spain and Portugal. Technically they are all illegal but as Bill Clinton said: it's the economy, stupid ?

A boy my son knew from school (theyre now in different college so he doesnt see him)txt him he went to italy about a week& half ago.(his dads Italian) so now hes on lockdown.I hope hes thoroughly tested before being allowed back to Britain,as are any other nations visitors to italy before theyre 'released' back to where they came from.

All kept very quiet until now, MerylStreep

13,600 people died of hunger today. So far.

Its frightening though,many people might not dare tell if they had true symptoms as its looking like 'if you go to hosp,they dont treat you,just let you die off' so everyone(particularly old people) are probably letting it spread rather than risk that.

suziewoozie This links to the daily updated situation in UK. You click on the map and draw in to your area - then click blue dot to see actual case number in your area. Not cheering, but at least not hysterical rumour. www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f94c3c90da5b4e9f9a0b19484dd4bb14

There are have been thousands more deaths in China than the authorities will admit too. I have a relation there. Its dreadful and all of us must be really careful and follow all of the advice and use our own common sense. The danger will increase as people start to get complacent. Please be vigilant and don't be afraid to quietly call out silly actions. We will survive this.

Or if we're to 'stay in' 7 days with minor ailments,how do we know what's minor,or what's going to get worse,or what is or isn't covid 19 ?-THAT'S when they should be testing folk.to cease the spread.(or just treat folk for a mild (other) condition) whichever they've got!

NotSpaghetti's link is very informative too

It's partly proximity. In northern Italian cities, the population density is far higher than in comparable European cities - double in some cases. Quite simply, more people live morely closely together, so disease spreads more readily.

The links in the textiles industry between Northern Italy and and Milan - even as far as Como are quite intense I understand. Many of the older firms are in close partnerships with China and according to a family member in the industry some have been bought out. Chinese and Italian textile firms are travelling to and fro all the time and workers visiting the other parts of the networks frequently. I suppose that in itself will increase the spread - but as someone said earlier, Italy has a massive number of elderly people - I think I read 23% - certainly more than other countries in Europe. Add to this the prevalence of multi-generational living and the "leak" about the lockdown and it's a recipe for disaster.

I can give you some interesting statistics from Ireland, where our schools, colleges & childcare facilities closed down over a week ago, all the pubs are closed (oh yes!) & we’re exhorted to either isolate or practice ‘social distancing’. Of the first 350 reported cases, 11% are in the 15-24 age group, 54% in the 25-54 group, 15% in 55-64 & 16% for the over 65s.
I don’t want anyone to be ill at all but as someone in their 70s & highly vulnerable (I’m immunosuppressed) I’m actually consoled by these figures.

Did anyone watching the 'science' briefing, on BBC yesterday with the two Experts, hear that woman with the dry cough the whole way through the talk? Think I would have said something. And, the reporters were not spaced out. We need everyone to be doing the right thing and give good example.
Everyone!!!

I wish supermarkets here would only allow a few customers in at a time.
If that happened, they would probably need armed guards at entrance to hold of the hordes.
Pathetic, isn’t it?

More not morely :-)

If its spread by 'droplets' how is it spreading like this?? I dont see everyone out& about (or didnt before this came to light?) Hacking& 'coughing their guts up' & spreading 'droplets' on everything, even in venice- so wheres all the 'droplets' coming from for us all to touch??

Truddles - that really does make you stop and think doesn't it.
What ARE we doing to allow that to happen.
At least we aren't in a war zone as well - or a refugee camp - or a prison for that matter. We are still very lucky really. Thank you for reminding us Truddles.

I bet they didnt even bother to test the woman with the dry couch either!

I don't think that Italy is particularly bad in comparison to other European countries, including Britain. It's just further ahead than us!

If you normally give to food banks but can't go out shopping, you can donate money instead.

Still going out thinking it’s safe? I went to local Post Office cum grocery store yesterday, was being served when the man behind me starts coughing without covering his face - lovely . I am NO longer going anywhere like that for a long time. How can people behave so irresponsibly. I would of said something but to be honest he was with another bloke and they looked like they would of given me a right mouthful. I have learnt my lesson.