I have friends in Italy. To the people who think it's just a cold.

[BabyLlamaZem]

Do you expect first come first serve to the respirators when you get it? Are you going to expect handouts because you haven't got two weeks of food sorted? Even the government is suggesting some preparation.

Absolutely bewildered by people not taking it seriously. What other evidence to they need? I have 3 friends in Italy and they can't understand the logic over here. Such a shame.

Wow aren’t you clever

Splitsunrise is clearly too cool to care 🙄

Starting to feel even smarter. Thanks

All evidence out there points to this not just being a cold.

Splitsunrise Thanks for adding your two pennyworth to the discussion. Most helpful. Not.

Well what are you even adding? That people should care more? Maybe, but that’s
their lookout. And you don’t know anything about how I view this, actually.

You posted a sarcastic thread, I posted a sarcastic reply.

I agree. Can't abide the sneery one upmanship of those who haven't taken reasonable protective steps.

What is the point of this thread? To exercise your moral superiority?

Nobody thinks it's just a cold. But some people are being hysterical and unbalanced. Which won't actually help anyone. The government are the ones you should be moaning about - they should do more to stop the virus spreading now not in 2 weeks.

Are you aware that some people live hand to mouth and cannot afford to stockpile 2 weeks worth of food?

@MauriceandAlec I think that’s exactly what this is....

Can you tell us more about what is happening in Italy OP? I mean on a practical level. Genuinely interested.

I can’t afford to buy two weeks worth of food.

@MauriceandAlec I think that’s exactly what this is....

I don't. It's not sneery or sarcastic at all. Perfectly reasonable to wonder why some people are being dismissive of coronavirus.

I also have friends in Northern Italy and they’re still able to go food shopping, as long as they have a (self-certified!) note explaining why they’re out of the house. They’re still going to work also. May not be like that in all regions, but it’s not a huge panic there. They said they’re mostly bored.

@sunshinesupermum err, two sarcastic questions as opening sentences and the actual sarcastic emoji? Yes I wonder why it was interpreted as sarcastic and “aren’t I clever”

@TeddyIsaHe my ex in northern Italy says the same...

I live in central Italy and even here a lot of people's attitudes have only shifted from blasé to taking in seriously in the last few days now our movements are very restricted. Yes, it's worse than flu and no it's not fatal for all but a decent proportion do need hospitalisation, so slowing the spread needs to be the lesson from Italy as the big risk is an overwhelmed health service.

I don't think panicking and stockpiling food is the answer (and it's not recommende here, though that hasn't stopped people). But social distancing when possible, hand-washing thoroughly, staying home if you feel unwell... Yes.

People aren’t being ‘prepared’ though, many are stock piling and it’s selfish. What about those who cannot afford to buy 2 weeks worth of food at once? What about people with disabilities who cannot traipse to 6 supermarkets because the rest of their town has purchased 48 odd rolls of toilet paper each? What about those who found themselves needing to self quarantine before this became so widespread and now are asking their family/friends to try and get toilet paper and baked beans? What about people who live rurally with no transport? I’m fed up of everyone only thinking about themselves. FWIW, I’m not in that position but it doesn’t stop me worrying about others.

It’s not a cold though, I absolutely agree. In fact, a cold isn’t a symptom.

Newsweek online has an article today about it possibly affecting male fertility

I am in NOrthern Italy ...ask me anything ... Have just walked the dog in a main city saw about 20 people in an hours walk all looking as if they were going places only 2 were out for a stroll kind of walk. Shops have food , we go 1 family member a time to the supermarket. Kids are doing online classes and homework. and for exercise its either a run or the x box

I'm Italian and still have plenty of family living in Italy. They are all doing fine and not panicking. Food is available.

It's crucial that we balance the need to contain the virus with the need to keep the economy moving. It's not an easy call how best to do that and I think the UK government are doing a decent job of striking the balance.

And what exactly are you hoping to achieve with this thread? Save your ranting for your family and friends.

Scotland bans mass gatherings of more than 500 people

Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a ban on gatherings of over 500 people in Scotland.

She also said that at the Cobra meeting it was decided that the UK had moved from the “contain” phase into the delay phase.
Guardian Source