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.

Have one of these @BabyLlamaZem

You sound insufferable. Almost like you are secretly willing people to get coronavirus, and not be prepared, so you can say "I TOLD YOU SO!"

And BIG SLOW HAND-CLAP to your 'friends' in Italy, who just CANNOT UNDERSTAND the logic over in the UK.

You know what, no-one gives a fig what your 'friends' in Italy think.

Just so ya know!

Oh and FYI, I am pretty sure quite a lot of people in the UK ARE worried about coronavirus and ARE getting prepared/stocking up, so I don't know what the hell you're talking about anyway!

For those who cannot afford two weeks worth of food. Think about it, those that can afford to spend large in one go will not be in the shops, the shops will be quieter so less risk to your family from big crowds. They say it is airborne. Just a thought.

It's not sneery or sarcastic at all.

It couldn't get more sneezy or sarcastic! 😂

What a load of bollocks! Most people in Italy are annoyed at the precautions but understand why. The whole country is very relaxed and not panicking like some people in this country.
In regards to respirators, a small percentage need those. Unfortunately some people who need them are very poorly already.
What's the point of panic buying food? You do realise those shops would stay open don't you?

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

What do you consider a 'reasonable protective step'? I am stuck in a school with hundreds of other people 4 days a week, probably 10 - 15% of them coughing and sneezing at any given time. I couldn't get loo paper, paracetamol, pasta or pasta sauces during my usual shop last week. Fortunately, my cupboards aren't empty but some basics are simply not there at the same time - I don't have huge amounts of space so don't run with more than a week or so's worth of food at any given time. No garage or shed or out building to put a chest freezer in, even assuming I could afford one. I have a high risk child (high risk in terms of his underlying conditions, not because he's a child) and am desperately concerned. I am a single parent and have to work. Some savings but need to think long term rather than just walking out of a job to isolate to protect myself and my child or wait by the loo paper aisle in the supermarket for it to be filled up What else do I do at this point?

I hope it is nothing. I suspect it is very much 'something' and many families will emerge from this very much changed.

Smug much? Another thread singing the praises of buying up the shops so that vulnerable old people who don't drive can't buy food. Cool.

Dont worry OP. Im having panic attacks over it. Hope you are reassured by the fact that I am worrying. Its the least I can do

What would your friends in Italy like us to be doing?

In terms of practicalities in our region, food shops, pharmacies, newsagents are still open and the only thing out of stock in ours is handgel. The panic buying was a couple of weeks ago and is being strongly discouraged. 1 person in the household goes to the supermarket and they let limited numbers in at one time. Friends were in isolation and other friends dropped food shopping outside their door.

We are WFH/company closed so mostly housebound and it's a bit cabin feverish with a toddler, luckily we have a garden. But we understand why it's needed of course. People have been sharing ideas for activities to do from home with little ones, the older kids I know have been given plenty of homework to do. No panicking, just following the rules and passing the time.

@JudyGemstone I can't speak for OP's friends but we are strongly recommending our UK friends and family cut down on unnecessary social interaction, handwashing thoroughly, offer to get shopping in for elderly or immunosuppressed friends and relatives to limit their interaction. Not stockpiling and panic buying.

Well said LeeMiller

So you think everyone should go out and buy two weeks worth of food for their family?

I've not bought anything, I have a baby and I'm anxious wether I should? I don't want to add to the ridiculous panic buy where there's no more toilet roll left.

There's no clear instruction to do so yet, but it's getting worse day by day

@maa1992 if you are anxious just go and do some shopping.

Dh is Italian, his family are fairly relaxed about it although we've cancelled our Easter visit. His brother goes to the shops daily to buy what he needs. It didn't come up but I get the impression that panic buying isn't happening over there. I had my normal weekly Tesco delivery today and there was loads of stuff unavailable, it's a bit annoying as I'll have to go out tomorrow for the missing items. I don't get the whole stock piling thing either - what are the elderly supposed to do if the healthy folk have stripped the shops bare?

Who is this directed at ? I have family
In italy
We all know how shit it is

Silly post

I'm on a few Facebook nursing pages were the members are predominantly American. The majority have their heads firmly in the sand. They think it's no worse than flu and people are silly to be worried. I know the US news can be rather 'insular', but surely this has got through now? They're not far behind us, same as we're not far behind Italy.