American Woman Living In Italy Writes Down A Coronavirus Warning To Americans And It Goes Viral
For about two weeks, Cristina Higgins, an American who lives in Italy, hasn’t traveled further from her apartment building than the driveway. She begins her days at the breakfast table with her husband and three children. Then, the kids go online to do their schoolwork from home. Throughout the day, Cristina looks at the news for updates on the coronavirus and checks in on her friends. The family usually spend their evenings by sitting down to play Monopoly.
“We have friends who are getting sick. It’s very stressful,” Higgins told NBC News from her home in Bergamo where she, just like everyone else, is under government-ordered home isolation even though she and her family are not sick. “I am nauseous all day long because every time I look at the news or talk to somebody else, something terrible has happened. And I don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Documenting her thoughts, Cristina made a Facebook post where she explained what her experience has been like. Her story soon went viral, generating over 186,000 reactions, 116,000 comments, and 915,000 shares.
Image credits: cristina.higgins.7
Image credits: cristina.higgins.7
Recently, Italy restricted movement and closed all stores except for pharmacies, groceries, and other essential services to fight the spread of the virus. But it’s a question of whether they did it in time. For example, Lombardy, the country’s wealthiest region, boasts a health-care system as proficient as any in Western Europe. But The Washington Post reports that its facilities are still forced to delay surgeries, stop HIV treatments, convert regular hospital space into COVID-19 units, and depend on exhausted doctors and nurses in order to keep up.
“This is a war,” said Massimo Puoti, the head of infectious medicine at Milan’s Niguarda hospital, one of the largest in Lombardy. According to him, the goal — just like Christina said — is to limit infections, stave off the epidemic and learn more about the enemy. “We need time.”
However, as difficult as the situation is, the country still manages to get by. Gabriel Gatehouse of BBC Newsnight talked with a senior ICU doctor in Milan and he learned that even though around 10-15% of people who are infected need intensive care units, they’re coping at the moment, and they’re still able to bring into ICU departments everyone who needs them.
This video provides a coherent breakdown of the situation in Italy
While facing the virus, people are reminding one another how important official information as well as staying calm and safe really is
People asking "where are the facts" are sooooooo disconnected from the world, it's unbelievable. HERE are the facts. My company has made us work from home for a long time now, and the streets of a world metropolis are kinda empty. This is not fear mongering, it's a wake up call. Be cautious and don't panic, and we can overcome this crisis.
By facts they are asking for information about the virus. Making you work at home is not they want as it a reaction which people don't always agree with
Load More Replies...I normally don't post on here, but as someone with a background in epidemiology, I thought my thoughts might help. In looking at the numbers, please don't forget that there are likely hundreds of people in this country who have coronavirus without realizing it due to milder symptoms. For instance in KS an elderly man with existing respiratory conditions died in a nursing home but so far is only one of 4 confirmed cases in KS, and the other 3 cases never were in contact with the 4th patient. They self-isolated and to date, public health officials in the state have not found that they transmitted the virus to anyone else. Who gave the elderly man the virus since he couldn't leave? Someone who had the virus, didn't know it, and visited his nursing home, because the virus didn't present in a severe manner for them. If we actually knew the true extent of the cases in the US that fatality rate would most likely drop to the levels we're used to seeing in other flu strains. Panic doesn't help.
Flattening the curve certainly helps; that's something Italy was not able to do, and it certainly was one of the largest factors in overloading their public health infrastructure. That's why responsible social distancing, hand-washing, and self-isolation measures if you think you're sick, are useful and will continue to make sure our hospitals are not overloaded with cases to the point where that fatality rate increases solely because of hospital logistics.
Load More Replies...The facts: Yes, most people who get it don't show symptoms. But also: 10% need ICU care. And: Because NOBODY is vaccinated, and the 2 week period of no symptoms, it spreads much more easily than seasonal flu. It will spread - it's only a matter of time. But if we can slow down that spread, then we have a chance of not overwhelming the health care system. It would be good if doctors could still perform surgeries, cancer patients could still get their chemo, and people could still go see their doctor about that lump that's appeared... right? So no, don't panic. Buy groceries when you need to. Don't buy out all the masks and antibacterial soap. But stay 1m away from everyone when possible, stop hugging your friends, wash your hands often and properly, try not to touch your mouth or eyes, avoid big events & crowds at all costs, and try to go out less. Switch meetings to zoom. Just be prudent, all right? What possible risk is there in deciding to be prudent?
Maybe, just maybe, people could stop using social media as a source of information about the spreading of Corona but instead use several official news channels. Preferably the European ones because they are telling you what's exactly going on without any fear mongering or telling you that Corona is a hoax invented by the Democrats. At this moment a lot of idiots are spreading all kinds of lies and misinformation about Corona that isn't helping to contain the disease. FYI: In the Netherlands people can stay at home if they think they are infected and still get paid. A lot of them do but still the virus keeps spreading. Now imagine America where people can't afford to stay at home when they are actually infected by the virus. Do you really think it's wise to deny the dangers? What happened to: "Better safe than Sorry "?
The CDC has recommended 2 weeks of food and water to be kept in every household in case of emergencies for years. Start there; canned protein, veggies, fruits. Rice, dry beans, couscous, pasta, and boxed mashed potatoes keep well. Self-isolation is recommended, but there is a good chance that there is no containment for this one. Just do your best and be safe, good luck.
Where I live (a small town in the north of Spain, approximately one hundred thousand inhabitants) people didn't take it seriously until two days ago, when the government declared the state of alarm. The first sick person here was an idiotic teacher who, in the middle of an epidemic, decided to go to Italy to see the Carnival. She came back and continued teaching... until she got sick. Children seldom get sick, but they carry the virus. What kind of idiot travels during an epidemic? Now, we are confined in our houses. Many of us have also lost our jobs. Supermarkets are open, yes, but you can't buy anything if you haven't got any money. The hospitals are full and understaffed. I think the governments have taken very bad decisions, and the consequences will be terrible. At this point, coronavirus is the smallest of our problems.
I've read that some funeral homes in Italy are refusing to pick up the bodies of people that have died at home. That is horrific- I hope to God it's not true. But consider, we already have a nursing shortage in the country. If medical staff starts dropping, we'll be in a world of hurt. As a retired RN, I'd be willing to help out any way I can. I'm waiting for the call to go out for any available medically trained persons to report to the closest hospital, and I will respond and do my part. I live in an area where there are a high percentage of retirees, I think it's a matter of time.
This is true. My friend's cousin in Italy was found dead in his couch, he was 53. He had the flu for 2 days - they have not diagnosed if he has covid-19 but will test. The funeral homes and crematorium are closed. So they had to put his body in a casket inside his home and nobody can visit him.
Load More Replies...This is crazy! Who do we believe? The boards of drs and nurses explaining that this is a flu with minor differences that really is no more deadly than every year??? Or the governments with no medical background or social media that allows anyone to post anything? I'm not being sarcastic, I am completely confused as to what to believe. This histeria May honestly be worse than the virus itself.
I live in Italy where the first virus case has been caught. People here is dying. They die a lot, they die alone, they die in pain and in fear. Think wathever you want, I really hope it does not break wherever you live, I really wish you this
Load More Replies...There are so many ignorant comments, yes it presents with flu like symptoms, and a 3% ish death rate. We need to take extreme measures now, before it's to late, now that's not saying we need to panic, or be stupid, but we do need to be realistic and smart.
Thankfully my government closed borders, schools, limited meetings to 50 max, closed all culture places + all shops that aren't FMCG/drugstores. Everyone is encouraged to saty home as much as possible, churches limited to max 50 per mass and everyone has a dispense from bishop if they decide to avoid sunady mass. I got remote work, my husband as well. I pray, that this will buy us time so that the healthsystem will not collapse like it did in Italy.
The one here still has government facilities and such running, which makes sense (like mail and garbage?). To me (and maybe because I'm not so bright) keeping gas stations open doesn't make sense . . . which is where I work. The one I work for is offering those who have family members with compromised immune systems a two weeks paid leave. I might have to do so, because I'm terrified of coming home and infecting my sister and mother. It is, in its own right, terrifying. You two sound like you'll be okay. I wish you guys (and everyone else) the healthiest luck.
Load More Replies...OK, one last time: INformation: Coronavirus is not flu. Its lethality is higher than some flu, lower than others. We have had massive pandemics before (2009 H1N1) and not flipped out despite similar circumstances where there were "hot spots" of infection. Most of us will catch it and never know ---- and we can't develop a good test in huge numbers as quickly as everyone seems to think. So again, wash your hands, calm down, and let's not destroy the human race by panic. Yes, some medical facilities are overwhelmed. Yes, peopel are vulnerable. We WILL develop herd immunity over time, we will develop a vaccine, and if we stop freaking out *today*, we give ourselves better chances for *tomorrow*. I'm not saying anything epidemiology experts and infectious disease experts aren't saying .... So downvote me. Peace, out, and stop telling me I don't know. Unless you want to care for my cancer-dx'd hubby in a pandemic?....
Yes. Which means that if the entire population of Italy gets the virus, we're like 60 million ppl, 180.000 will die. Peanuts for you?
Load More Replies...One thing to keep in mind: Gloves are not magic. If you or someone else is wearing gloves, but then does the same thing with their hands as without gloves, the risk is the same. If they wipe their eyes, rub their mouth, bop their nose, then touch other things, doing that with a glove on is the same as doing it without gloves. The gloves can transmit the disease. It's the transmittal of the virus through hands (gloves or not) that we need to try to prevent. Gloves are not magical virus-eliminating devices.
If we do our job and are successful with social distancing, it will look like we overreacted. If we fail, by the time it becomes obvious to all the deniers that it's a real problem, it will be too late to make enough of a difference to get below that crucial healthcare capacity line. I fear that there are too many science deniers who will blow off the warnings until it is too late and screw us all over.
This is not a flu, has similar symptoms, listen to medical experts not neighbors or friends, so many false statements floating around Everyone needs to be vigilant and take it seriously No mass transit to spread No congregating with any number of people If there is no host it dies!!!!! People allowed to be around up to 250 people is ludicrous Want the hell, you have potentially 100’s who can spread this Then they will be sick pass any 14 day quarantine How about those with no symptoms but shed this virus This is an unknown virus one we have never come up against STAY HOME STAY SAFE Yes people need to work, but if you spread this, there are more consequences, we can be Italy
I'm from England in the Uk and I honestly don't know who to believe anymore, there are so many sources spreading so much false information. Scare mongering and panic buying isn't going to help anyone. Now the company I work for has ordered everyone to work from home next week.
So don't panic. Hope for the best, prepair for the worst. Don't panic but do make sure you have food stocks to last a couple of weeks, in case you're exposed. Do limit unneccessary contact with people and wash your hands properly and often, with ordinary soap, and especially every time you get home. It's not rocket science. You're likely to be OK, take steps to protect those who are vunerable.
Load More Replies...I think the situation in Italy is horrific. I don’t think the media is hyping anything up. You all need to listen. Take care of yourselves and watch out for others. Try to be a part of the solution and not the problem. Stop hoarding and price gouging! That isn’t helping anyone but the greedy uncaring selfish ones that hoard and price gouge. There is enough for everyone. Ask yourselves “what would Jesus do?” Would he approve of my ungodly greedy ways. Hoarding and price gouging baby formula and diapers? Really people, really?!
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1233679/coronavirus-update-symptoms-flu-2020-china-flu-deaths
I'm staying home as much as possible. Schools in my town have closed. My Church has shut down Sunday services. So I'm not going to work right now (pt job at my Church). I'm ordering my groceries and other shopping online. I'm not sick but I'm considered high risk (over 60 and I have COPD). A lot of people in the U. S. are still not taking it as seriously as they should be. Let's hope and pray that this situation will get better asap.
Sadly, America is such a service industry country now, that most of us can't simply "work from home" That is ridiculous to even think of. My concern is our economy, the global economy, and the reset that is happening. We are on the edge, now. All it would take is a cyber attack, EMP, similar, to send us plunging off the cliff. The elderly need your help, now more than 3ver. Dont let your fear cause neglect. Many on YouTube are saying they hope the virus wipes out the old- the same ones who built this nation, and other nations. This is a wake up call, alright. The true nature of today's population, self immersed, selfish, spoiled, is being demonstrated.
I have been following the statistics on this site for about a month, and the only positive parameter I can see is that the percentage of people ill with SARS-CoV-2 / Covid-19 in serious or critical condition has gone down from twelve percent to seven. This may, however, well be due to better testing.
It's terrifying to think of all of this, but regardless on whether or not a few people in a country contracted the virus, the truth remains that we have no potential vaccine or medicine to combat it besides basic drugs hospitals have been informed to use. That's WHY this virus is so terrifying. Especially for those like my mother, who hasn't even made it to forty but who I am terrified to be around because she has complications in her immune system that make so that she CAN'T fight COVID-19 if she gets it. I am terrified to be around her or go outside, because when I come back I sanitize myself and shower immediately, for fear I could have touched an area that had the virus, yet my job center won't close down because it is a gas station.
I am completely on board with people staying at home, not leaving their places, for the precise information that this virus has no stopping point. The incubation period with no symptoms, the broad range of all ages and people, and the fact that mass panic has led to cleaning items being cleared off of the shelves, to the point that those who have nothing are left standing in a vacated room. I am half tempted to stay at home, requesting a two week pay period off (as the company I work for has verified that if there are those in your family who have complications you may need to stay home and have offered paid leave for the time being) so I'm not terrified to infect my mother and sister, who are both going to be strictly at home while I work. We should have been cautious of this bacteria to begin with, but only now when no one has any time left are we worrying about it. I agree with plenty of others. Don't panic and stay safe. Hysteria will only make this worse. So, stay safe.
Load More Replies...A dumbass American with little to no legitimate knowledge of Italian culture/society. 1) Italy has the 2nd largest seniors population in the world. The coronavirus, like any bad flu or viral pneumonia, afflicts those with weak immune systems (very young, elderly, etc.) worse than the general population. 2) Unlike mainstream (/Angloized) America, multi-generational families living in one household are quite common in Italy. This means you've younger people going out & about either to work or taking kids to school who catch the virus but they don't show signs (=carriers). They go home to their elderly relatives living in the same household. Elderly relatives who are already more suspectable to viral pneumonia, flu & related respiratory illness not just coronavirus. 3) No offense to Italians I have many, many born in Italy friends. But to be blunt their health care compared to America sucks. In a number of smaller/remote villages they don't necessarily have a doctor except whoever re
Egoism and ignorance will one day lead to our extinction. "Good riddance" is what I will say then.
Dear Lord why do you speak if you dont know??? Our ICUs are LOADED with people, we have TENTS outside hospitals as if it was a f*****g war!
Load More Replies...I agree with the fact that people need to think smart and not fall into hysteria over this, but the fear comes from not having a vaccine or formal way to combat this virus. There is no drug or procedure - other than quarantine - to help stop the spread and infected, unless you count basic drugs. The fear grows when you remember that those with compromised immune systems or none at all are the ones who just can't fight this disease. No way of combating the virus, yet until recently were forced to go outside and work and be a part of society, with those who had no regards to COVID-19 from the start. There are reasons to be afraid. There are no reasons, however, to panic. Media caused an uproar, and now everyone is freaking out unless you were levelheaded enough to know how to deal with this. Propaganda seems to always be the biggest problem in these tirades.
Load More Replies...No they can't. I personally have good insurance. A high fever, cough and other symptoms (after traveling), but cannot get tested because my travel wasn't to an area on the CDCs list. I am self quarantining... only 11000 people have been tested in the US.
Load More Replies...Leo, I live in Italy, your comment is offensive of the reality we're living here. We have triage tents outside of hospitals. My sister is a surgeon, they have to postpone all scheduled surgeries because they need to convert the operating theatre into ICUs. Our system is at its max capacity. You have the advantage of using what's happening here to plan your reaction to the virus, DONT BE IN DENIAL
Load More Replies...People asking "where are the facts" are sooooooo disconnected from the world, it's unbelievable. HERE are the facts. My company has made us work from home for a long time now, and the streets of a world metropolis are kinda empty. This is not fear mongering, it's a wake up call. Be cautious and don't panic, and we can overcome this crisis.
By facts they are asking for information about the virus. Making you work at home is not they want as it a reaction which people don't always agree with
Load More Replies...I normally don't post on here, but as someone with a background in epidemiology, I thought my thoughts might help. In looking at the numbers, please don't forget that there are likely hundreds of people in this country who have coronavirus without realizing it due to milder symptoms. For instance in KS an elderly man with existing respiratory conditions died in a nursing home but so far is only one of 4 confirmed cases in KS, and the other 3 cases never were in contact with the 4th patient. They self-isolated and to date, public health officials in the state have not found that they transmitted the virus to anyone else. Who gave the elderly man the virus since he couldn't leave? Someone who had the virus, didn't know it, and visited his nursing home, because the virus didn't present in a severe manner for them. If we actually knew the true extent of the cases in the US that fatality rate would most likely drop to the levels we're used to seeing in other flu strains. Panic doesn't help.
Flattening the curve certainly helps; that's something Italy was not able to do, and it certainly was one of the largest factors in overloading their public health infrastructure. That's why responsible social distancing, hand-washing, and self-isolation measures if you think you're sick, are useful and will continue to make sure our hospitals are not overloaded with cases to the point where that fatality rate increases solely because of hospital logistics.
Load More Replies...The facts: Yes, most people who get it don't show symptoms. But also: 10% need ICU care. And: Because NOBODY is vaccinated, and the 2 week period of no symptoms, it spreads much more easily than seasonal flu. It will spread - it's only a matter of time. But if we can slow down that spread, then we have a chance of not overwhelming the health care system. It would be good if doctors could still perform surgeries, cancer patients could still get their chemo, and people could still go see their doctor about that lump that's appeared... right? So no, don't panic. Buy groceries when you need to. Don't buy out all the masks and antibacterial soap. But stay 1m away from everyone when possible, stop hugging your friends, wash your hands often and properly, try not to touch your mouth or eyes, avoid big events & crowds at all costs, and try to go out less. Switch meetings to zoom. Just be prudent, all right? What possible risk is there in deciding to be prudent?
Maybe, just maybe, people could stop using social media as a source of information about the spreading of Corona but instead use several official news channels. Preferably the European ones because they are telling you what's exactly going on without any fear mongering or telling you that Corona is a hoax invented by the Democrats. At this moment a lot of idiots are spreading all kinds of lies and misinformation about Corona that isn't helping to contain the disease. FYI: In the Netherlands people can stay at home if they think they are infected and still get paid. A lot of them do but still the virus keeps spreading. Now imagine America where people can't afford to stay at home when they are actually infected by the virus. Do you really think it's wise to deny the dangers? What happened to: "Better safe than Sorry "?
The CDC has recommended 2 weeks of food and water to be kept in every household in case of emergencies for years. Start there; canned protein, veggies, fruits. Rice, dry beans, couscous, pasta, and boxed mashed potatoes keep well. Self-isolation is recommended, but there is a good chance that there is no containment for this one. Just do your best and be safe, good luck.
Where I live (a small town in the north of Spain, approximately one hundred thousand inhabitants) people didn't take it seriously until two days ago, when the government declared the state of alarm. The first sick person here was an idiotic teacher who, in the middle of an epidemic, decided to go to Italy to see the Carnival. She came back and continued teaching... until she got sick. Children seldom get sick, but they carry the virus. What kind of idiot travels during an epidemic? Now, we are confined in our houses. Many of us have also lost our jobs. Supermarkets are open, yes, but you can't buy anything if you haven't got any money. The hospitals are full and understaffed. I think the governments have taken very bad decisions, and the consequences will be terrible. At this point, coronavirus is the smallest of our problems.
I've read that some funeral homes in Italy are refusing to pick up the bodies of people that have died at home. That is horrific- I hope to God it's not true. But consider, we already have a nursing shortage in the country. If medical staff starts dropping, we'll be in a world of hurt. As a retired RN, I'd be willing to help out any way I can. I'm waiting for the call to go out for any available medically trained persons to report to the closest hospital, and I will respond and do my part. I live in an area where there are a high percentage of retirees, I think it's a matter of time.
This is true. My friend's cousin in Italy was found dead in his couch, he was 53. He had the flu for 2 days - they have not diagnosed if he has covid-19 but will test. The funeral homes and crematorium are closed. So they had to put his body in a casket inside his home and nobody can visit him.
Load More Replies...This is crazy! Who do we believe? The boards of drs and nurses explaining that this is a flu with minor differences that really is no more deadly than every year??? Or the governments with no medical background or social media that allows anyone to post anything? I'm not being sarcastic, I am completely confused as to what to believe. This histeria May honestly be worse than the virus itself.
I live in Italy where the first virus case has been caught. People here is dying. They die a lot, they die alone, they die in pain and in fear. Think wathever you want, I really hope it does not break wherever you live, I really wish you this
Load More Replies...There are so many ignorant comments, yes it presents with flu like symptoms, and a 3% ish death rate. We need to take extreme measures now, before it's to late, now that's not saying we need to panic, or be stupid, but we do need to be realistic and smart.
Thankfully my government closed borders, schools, limited meetings to 50 max, closed all culture places + all shops that aren't FMCG/drugstores. Everyone is encouraged to saty home as much as possible, churches limited to max 50 per mass and everyone has a dispense from bishop if they decide to avoid sunady mass. I got remote work, my husband as well. I pray, that this will buy us time so that the healthsystem will not collapse like it did in Italy.
The one here still has government facilities and such running, which makes sense (like mail and garbage?). To me (and maybe because I'm not so bright) keeping gas stations open doesn't make sense . . . which is where I work. The one I work for is offering those who have family members with compromised immune systems a two weeks paid leave. I might have to do so, because I'm terrified of coming home and infecting my sister and mother. It is, in its own right, terrifying. You two sound like you'll be okay. I wish you guys (and everyone else) the healthiest luck.
Load More Replies...OK, one last time: INformation: Coronavirus is not flu. Its lethality is higher than some flu, lower than others. We have had massive pandemics before (2009 H1N1) and not flipped out despite similar circumstances where there were "hot spots" of infection. Most of us will catch it and never know ---- and we can't develop a good test in huge numbers as quickly as everyone seems to think. So again, wash your hands, calm down, and let's not destroy the human race by panic. Yes, some medical facilities are overwhelmed. Yes, peopel are vulnerable. We WILL develop herd immunity over time, we will develop a vaccine, and if we stop freaking out *today*, we give ourselves better chances for *tomorrow*. I'm not saying anything epidemiology experts and infectious disease experts aren't saying .... So downvote me. Peace, out, and stop telling me I don't know. Unless you want to care for my cancer-dx'd hubby in a pandemic?....
Yes. Which means that if the entire population of Italy gets the virus, we're like 60 million ppl, 180.000 will die. Peanuts for you?
Load More Replies...One thing to keep in mind: Gloves are not magic. If you or someone else is wearing gloves, but then does the same thing with their hands as without gloves, the risk is the same. If they wipe their eyes, rub their mouth, bop their nose, then touch other things, doing that with a glove on is the same as doing it without gloves. The gloves can transmit the disease. It's the transmittal of the virus through hands (gloves or not) that we need to try to prevent. Gloves are not magical virus-eliminating devices.
If we do our job and are successful with social distancing, it will look like we overreacted. If we fail, by the time it becomes obvious to all the deniers that it's a real problem, it will be too late to make enough of a difference to get below that crucial healthcare capacity line. I fear that there are too many science deniers who will blow off the warnings until it is too late and screw us all over.
This is not a flu, has similar symptoms, listen to medical experts not neighbors or friends, so many false statements floating around Everyone needs to be vigilant and take it seriously No mass transit to spread No congregating with any number of people If there is no host it dies!!!!! People allowed to be around up to 250 people is ludicrous Want the hell, you have potentially 100’s who can spread this Then they will be sick pass any 14 day quarantine How about those with no symptoms but shed this virus This is an unknown virus one we have never come up against STAY HOME STAY SAFE Yes people need to work, but if you spread this, there are more consequences, we can be Italy
I'm from England in the Uk and I honestly don't know who to believe anymore, there are so many sources spreading so much false information. Scare mongering and panic buying isn't going to help anyone. Now the company I work for has ordered everyone to work from home next week.
So don't panic. Hope for the best, prepair for the worst. Don't panic but do make sure you have food stocks to last a couple of weeks, in case you're exposed. Do limit unneccessary contact with people and wash your hands properly and often, with ordinary soap, and especially every time you get home. It's not rocket science. You're likely to be OK, take steps to protect those who are vunerable.
Load More Replies...I think the situation in Italy is horrific. I don’t think the media is hyping anything up. You all need to listen. Take care of yourselves and watch out for others. Try to be a part of the solution and not the problem. Stop hoarding and price gouging! That isn’t helping anyone but the greedy uncaring selfish ones that hoard and price gouge. There is enough for everyone. Ask yourselves “what would Jesus do?” Would he approve of my ungodly greedy ways. Hoarding and price gouging baby formula and diapers? Really people, really?!
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1233679/coronavirus-update-symptoms-flu-2020-china-flu-deaths
I'm staying home as much as possible. Schools in my town have closed. My Church has shut down Sunday services. So I'm not going to work right now (pt job at my Church). I'm ordering my groceries and other shopping online. I'm not sick but I'm considered high risk (over 60 and I have COPD). A lot of people in the U. S. are still not taking it as seriously as they should be. Let's hope and pray that this situation will get better asap.
Sadly, America is such a service industry country now, that most of us can't simply "work from home" That is ridiculous to even think of. My concern is our economy, the global economy, and the reset that is happening. We are on the edge, now. All it would take is a cyber attack, EMP, similar, to send us plunging off the cliff. The elderly need your help, now more than 3ver. Dont let your fear cause neglect. Many on YouTube are saying they hope the virus wipes out the old- the same ones who built this nation, and other nations. This is a wake up call, alright. The true nature of today's population, self immersed, selfish, spoiled, is being demonstrated.
I have been following the statistics on this site for about a month, and the only positive parameter I can see is that the percentage of people ill with SARS-CoV-2 / Covid-19 in serious or critical condition has gone down from twelve percent to seven. This may, however, well be due to better testing.
It's terrifying to think of all of this, but regardless on whether or not a few people in a country contracted the virus, the truth remains that we have no potential vaccine or medicine to combat it besides basic drugs hospitals have been informed to use. That's WHY this virus is so terrifying. Especially for those like my mother, who hasn't even made it to forty but who I am terrified to be around because she has complications in her immune system that make so that she CAN'T fight COVID-19 if she gets it. I am terrified to be around her or go outside, because when I come back I sanitize myself and shower immediately, for fear I could have touched an area that had the virus, yet my job center won't close down because it is a gas station.
I am completely on board with people staying at home, not leaving their places, for the precise information that this virus has no stopping point. The incubation period with no symptoms, the broad range of all ages and people, and the fact that mass panic has led to cleaning items being cleared off of the shelves, to the point that those who have nothing are left standing in a vacated room. I am half tempted to stay at home, requesting a two week pay period off (as the company I work for has verified that if there are those in your family who have complications you may need to stay home and have offered paid leave for the time being) so I'm not terrified to infect my mother and sister, who are both going to be strictly at home while I work. We should have been cautious of this bacteria to begin with, but only now when no one has any time left are we worrying about it. I agree with plenty of others. Don't panic and stay safe. Hysteria will only make this worse. So, stay safe.
Load More Replies...A dumbass American with little to no legitimate knowledge of Italian culture/society. 1) Italy has the 2nd largest seniors population in the world. The coronavirus, like any bad flu or viral pneumonia, afflicts those with weak immune systems (very young, elderly, etc.) worse than the general population. 2) Unlike mainstream (/Angloized) America, multi-generational families living in one household are quite common in Italy. This means you've younger people going out & about either to work or taking kids to school who catch the virus but they don't show signs (=carriers). They go home to their elderly relatives living in the same household. Elderly relatives who are already more suspectable to viral pneumonia, flu & related respiratory illness not just coronavirus. 3) No offense to Italians I have many, many born in Italy friends. But to be blunt their health care compared to America sucks. In a number of smaller/remote villages they don't necessarily have a doctor except whoever re
Egoism and ignorance will one day lead to our extinction. "Good riddance" is what I will say then.
Dear Lord why do you speak if you dont know??? Our ICUs are LOADED with people, we have TENTS outside hospitals as if it was a f*****g war!
Load More Replies...I agree with the fact that people need to think smart and not fall into hysteria over this, but the fear comes from not having a vaccine or formal way to combat this virus. There is no drug or procedure - other than quarantine - to help stop the spread and infected, unless you count basic drugs. The fear grows when you remember that those with compromised immune systems or none at all are the ones who just can't fight this disease. No way of combating the virus, yet until recently were forced to go outside and work and be a part of society, with those who had no regards to COVID-19 from the start. There are reasons to be afraid. There are no reasons, however, to panic. Media caused an uproar, and now everyone is freaking out unless you were levelheaded enough to know how to deal with this. Propaganda seems to always be the biggest problem in these tirades.
Load More Replies...No they can't. I personally have good insurance. A high fever, cough and other symptoms (after traveling), but cannot get tested because my travel wasn't to an area on the CDCs list. I am self quarantining... only 11000 people have been tested in the US.
Load More Replies...Leo, I live in Italy, your comment is offensive of the reality we're living here. We have triage tents outside of hospitals. My sister is a surgeon, they have to postpone all scheduled surgeries because they need to convert the operating theatre into ICUs. Our system is at its max capacity. You have the advantage of using what's happening here to plan your reaction to the virus, DONT BE IN DENIAL
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