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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
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Related: Lockdown Learning, discuss home schooling during lockdown.
Covid
My experience of lockdown in Italy
Seventyone72seventy3 · 21/03/2020 19:53
I thought I would write down a little bit about how the last month has been for us in Italy, fully aware that this is only our experience - other people may have behaved entirely differently! I just wanted to put it down because all the days are blurring into one so I thought I may as well share it for anyone who is interested.
First of all, I am in a city in the north but not in any of hotspots, this meant that the first big event for us was when we heard that schools and universities would not be reopening on Monday 24th February in our region. To be honest, it seemed really over the top at the time. We hadn't been given any warning (it happened over the weekend) so lots of children hadn't taken their textbooks home with them. It seemed a really cautious thing to do and most people thought it would be enough. In fact, for the next week nobody really suggested social distancing - we all carried on going to the parks and bars. Very few people were wearing masks and it seemed a bit OTT. That first weekend when it was announced, there was a bit of a run on the supermarkets and a few things were out of stock, but this soon worked itself out and after a few days everything was back to normal.
The next week (2nd March) we still went to the park but everyone was really careful to keep their distance. We also had some friends round for a meal - the husband is a doctor and he thought it was fine as a plan. We just didn't kiss anyone and checked that nobody was ill - seemed like enough at the time! Bear in mind, we hadn't really been given any instructions at this point, except that schools were closed. We naively thought we were doing enough. Bars were still open albeit with more widely spaced tables so surely, we thought, it was decided that we didn't have to much more, just wash our hands a bit more, stay inside if we felt ill. That week all the schools in Italy were closed, but there still weren't a high number of deaths so it felt like it was being managed. My gym was closed, then opened, then closed again. There was some confusion over whether every sports facility should be closed or not. Eventually they all closed, along with cinemas, theatres etc.
The following week (9th March) is when everything changed. Before only a few hotspots had been "locked down". Now that was extended to the whole of the country - no travelling around, no going out without a proper reason (getting food, medical supplies, going to hospital or essential work). Everything non-essential, including non-food shops closed. Bars were allowed for a while to open until 6pm to allow workers to eat lunch but this was soon changed to complete closure. Every one started taking it more seriously. We no longer went to the park, even keeping our distance. In my town, the mayor issued a decree that all parks and public spaces were off limits. This week is when we had some balcony "occasions": clapping our support for health workers, singing, impromptu concerts etc. My neighbours played their string instruments and everyone applauded.
This week (16th March) the mood has really changed. Everyone now realises the seriousness of the situation. We can go out for food but everyone keeps their distance, the streets are pretty deserted and the police are issuing fines to anyone who isn't obeying the rules. We have been going to local shops (luckily we have lots) so the queues haven't been so bad as at the supermarkets. We don't have a garden and live in a big block of flats so we have been going outside a bit to run in front of the narrow strip of concrete in front of our garages (still on our property so technically allowed). Psychologically it has been tough but I also realise we are lucky - plenty of people are ill or have ill relatives in addition to being in lockdown. A classmate of my son's is in hospital with peritonitis which would be worrying at the best of times but is especially horrible now. We are not even in one of the worst hit areas and I have seen an ambulance with paramedics in hazmat suits turning up to our neighbour's flat. A friend in Lombardy says they hear ambulances all the time.
My kids are taking it all quite well and are supporting each other though my youngest son is finding it really hard to sleep (a combination of worries and not exercising much, I think).
Anyway, that is my experience. I must admit when I hear people on hear say that they think it is still ok to see friends or go to the park I feel worried - that was exactly what we thought two weeks ago and now ...well, we are where we are.
KeysDontBelongInTheFridge · 21/03/2020 20:16
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I do think lockdown is the best thing, as otherwise no one pays any attention. Hope you be your family stay safe and well 
BirdandSparrow · 21/03/2020 20:20
I hope you are OK, OP. I'm in Spain. I might start the same type of thread about our situation in Spain.
Lifesavesocialdistance · 21/03/2020 20:20
Thanks op, very interesting, scary but hopeful people are taking it seriously now.
CharlesBakerHarris · 21/03/2020 20:25
I’m in New York and have had a very similar experience, although it feels like we’re about a week behind you. The blasé attitude of a lot of people (including officials) in the U.K. is terrifying.
CharlesBakerHarris · 21/03/2020 20:27
Sorry, I should clarify - the blasé attitude of a lot of officials until now has been terrifying, and I worry about the long-term effects of leaving it so long to close schools, pubs, and restaurants.
mamma2016 · 21/03/2020 20:29
Thank you for sharing your experience. Can I ask if you postal service is still operating? Can you send letters/postcards? Can you order deliveries from non-essential shops?
Forza14 · 21/03/2020 20:30
Thank you so much for this. I hope lots and lots of people read your post.
I’m relieved to hear the panic buying has sorted itself out. It’s still a real problem for us.
Hope you and your family stay safe & well x
Russellbrandshair · 21/03/2020 20:32
Thanks OP, I pray you stay safe and well and that things improve very soon for Italy
MissClementine · 21/03/2020 20:34
What happens if someone’s boiler breaks down or something like that?
MissClementine · 21/03/2020 20:35
Thank you for telling us about your situation it’s really useful to hear.
lifeisgoodmostofthetime · 21/03/2020 20:42
#Missclemintine if your boiler breaks down then you can call an engineer as they are classed as key workers
Gwlondon · 21/03/2020 20:43
I think it’s different in the UK depending on where you are. London is ahead. But it’s different. Basically our schools pubs restaurants and gyms have all shut at the same time.
Social distancing isn’t happening enough in London but to be honest some shops and pavements aren’t even big enough to do it. (Where I live!)
I wouldn’t describe is as blasé. It fits UK culture. The are nudging us to make sure that when it comes to it we will stay in and minimise contact. Because we knew it was coming, schools prepared the work. People took the stuff they needed for working from home.
To be honest they basically planned it. They shut the hospitality industry and told them what support they would receive on the same day.
Good luck where ever you are. We all have to trust our governments. It’s shit. But the people who plan for a pandemic are doing their best.
AnnieS2511 · 21/03/2020 20:43
Hi OP! We are in Rome and it was really good to read your post. You took the words - and memories - right from me..! Unfortunately down here, due to fewer cases than up North, many people are still acting irresponsibly... The streets are pretty full of people going grocery shopping and strangely it is mostly the elderly (you'd think they would be first to stay home and keep off the streets)... to be fair, everyone is wearing masks and gloves and maintaining a safe distance, but I don't think it's hit home quite as hard as it has up where you are.....
goldpartyhat · 21/03/2020 20:49
Irresponsible was Bondi beach, with hundreds of people inches from each other. Most people are taking it fairly seriously here.
My niece has just started a hacking dry cough and fever, so it's definitely coming
Seventyone72seventy3 · 21/03/2020 21:00
@mamma2016 I think the post office is closed and yes, you can receive goods from shops if you buy online but I suppose you can't return them if you can't get to a post office.
@AnnieS2511 That's interesting. I don't have a mask and haven't found anywhere selling them for ages.
Thanks for all your best wishes and good luck to everyone!
ofwarren · 21/03/2020 21:01
Can you still get deliveries such as amazon or online supermarket shopping?
Seventyone72seventy3 · 21/03/2020 21:05
@ofwarren Amazon say they will still deliver but with longer waiting times - but they don't sell as much as UK Amazon, especially when it comes to food.
I have done an online supermarket shop that I booked a while back but can't book another one now as all the slots are always booked up. I don't know what time they release the next day's slots but I always seem to miss them - was thinking of checking at 3am or something! In any case there doesn't seem to be anything for the next 3 weeks or so.
Seventyone72seventy3 · 21/03/2020 21:07
@TheCanterburyWhales Thanks! You too Take care of yourselves!
This whole thing has made me a bit paranoid about having accidents. My boys are always wrestling each other, and I am worried that someone is going to need to go to hospital for something really stupid like a football tackle! (And yes, there is even a lot of indoor football being played...sigh...)
LeeMiller · 21/03/2020 21:35
Thanks OP. We are in Tuscany and have been through the same stages. It still seems impossible to believe how qickly everything has changed. I have a hyperactive, fearless toddler and I too am terrified we'll need a trip to a&e for an idiotic accident.
GabsAlot · 21/03/2020 21:37
Annie are u allowed to just wander round then doesnt sound like a lockdown
Thehop · 21/03/2020 22:53
Thank you for sharing.
The selfish idiots socialising are scary.
Good luck to you all
AnnieS2511 · 22/03/2020 15:03
@GabsAlot no! That's the thing... theoretically we are on a very strict lock down and are only allowed to leave the house to go to the grocery store, but people are taking advantage of that loop hole and going to the store every day just to get out of the house...:.
GabsAlot · 22/03/2020 15:23
thanks for replying i guess that will happen here then dont suppose they can prove anything
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