When it really happens: SHTF...

[Ovidio]

Dumb people usually get dealt with by Darwin, but in this case...
Might come the point where we will have to help Darwin a bit.
I'm generally glad to see how the people in my immediate vicinity are reacting. This is a region used to hardships, with strong, silent and enduring people. Even modern times did not really soften up the core of those wonderful "easterners".
We have some empty shelves in the shops, but this is the very first day after a fairly traumatic communication: the whole country is "controlled area"...in clear words: you can only move to and from your workplace (if there is still activity), for serious medical reasons or for exceptional other reasons.
Police and Carabinieri already started stopping people and press charges against them for false declarations and for threatening the public health.
But still, and again, even after yesterdays communication by our MP, who stressed that we shall not bunch up, go into crowded places, move around much, we had lots of people running away to their original towns and regions, queue up at H24 supermarkets etc.
These are the people I would like to meet after all this has finished and throw with my own hands into an enourmous dunghill!
My only small regret is that I got caught metaphorically with my pants partially down, as I didn't have much in terms of food in store, but I also never noticed any panic here, so, unpleasant as it might have felt this morning, I have never really risked anything.
I did not want to rush to a shop and mess with people. Partly because of sanitary reasons (wrongest move of all) and, partially, for reasons of self-respect, decency and pride. I won't let this thing change me and bring me to possibly harm other people out of panic or egotism.
As long as there is no real, unmistakable sign that everything will go south, I will not deprive anyone else of food or other essentials.
I'm learning lessons without end, and I'm going to capitalise on them after this. And I want to look at my face in the mirror and be glad to see a good man.
Plus I'm doing lots of small work at home, so that wifey is happy and I'm not bored.
I'm very curious to see what will come this evening. Lombardy, the core of the disease area, 27% of Italy's GDP, will probably close down, completely. Only emergency services and food stores will stay open.
I agree with this decision (if it comes). I guess it is better to do once a drastic, decisive and time-limited move, than to keep the situation on the verge of disaster for a longer time, with prolonged damage and no sure outcome.
Alpini never quit. And this region is an Alpini region. Also Lombardy. So, the hardest hit are the ones with the highest probability of coming out winners.
Cheers and until the next news...

[Surpmil]

Last time I looked the stratosphere seemed to be in a holding pattern.

The funny thing about crowds is they can wonderously ignore threats right in front of their eyes on a daily basis and then be panicked by something they haven't seen at all.

[Ovidio]

Stricter rules by the day.
Today we implemented my emergency plan in the company. Although I wanted to stay in for the sake of morale, in the end the management told me too to stay out.
It struck me, but it is not wrong. I just wanted anybody else on “smart work”, not myself...
I’ll be there tomorrow during the explanations to the workshop guys, then I’ll have to leave. It will be tough.
Sources I have say that Friday evening the “martial law”, or at least a strict curfew, will be introduced.
Food is stll not a big issue...
Let’s see.

[CINDERS]

Hope it gets to a better situation over there soon for you Ovidio.

[usabaker]

did not want to rush to a shop and mess with people. Partly because of sanitary reasons (wrongest move of all) and, partially, for reasons of self-respect, decency and pride. I won't let this thing change me and bring me to possibly harm other people out of panic or egotism.
As long as there is no real, unmistakable sign that everything will go south, I will not deprive anyone else of food or other essentials.
I'm learning lessons without end, and I'm going to capitalise on them after this. And I want to look at my face in the mirror and be glad to see a good man.
Plus I'm doing lots of small work at home, so that wifey is happy and I'm not bored.

My wife and I keep stock of emergency food and supplies and while there is no panic buying of food right now I'm glad I don't have to worry about that. It's funny, we were prepared for a physical emergency like a major earthquake, I never even contemplated a pandemic I are still taking lessons learned from this. Of all the basic's, we did not have an emergency supply of hand sanitizer and there is none to be found here. Luckily one call to my kid in Texas and a few 60oz bottles of it are on its way to us. We only use it at work and in the car but still, better to have it and not need it than to not have it an need it.

[Surpmil]

They say about half of us will die of cancer, many well before our three score and ten.

When are they going to declare it a pandemic; when it reaches 75% or 100%?

[oldpaul]

Officially a pandemic, the World Health Organization announced today 3/11/20 according to NPR and other news organizations. Tom

[Ovidio]

So, today we finally implemented our company emergency plan. All personnel not involved in the production has been sent on leave, on smart-work or, those who can’t for any reason work from home, have been dispersed in the free offices.
The management has been sent out for smart-work, but I told everybody to show-up every now and then, because I don’t want to give the guys in the production the feeling that everybody else has left the boat. No need to exaggerate, but keep showing up.
For the rest, every movement is prohibited. The Civil Protection drives through town repeating messages on the loudspeaker not to move, not to stay close to each other, to keep washing hands and use sanitisers, etc.
Sincerely speaking, that is the most disturbing thing. Until I heard them a few minutes ago, I never had a really spooky feeling. Now I have it...
I organized an aperitivo with my neighbors. Each with an own bottle and own glasses, everybody on his side of the fence, at 5 meters distance. First class Valdobbiadene!
We still had a nice chat.
Never give up

[Ovidio]

Since two days, Slovenia has shown us much solidarity (see picture), while Austria limited themselves to blocking everything with police and soldiers.
I’m starting to ask myself questions about Europe...
Each country by itself, no plan to help control the disease.
No use for such a bureaucratic nullity.
I think many things will change after the storm...

[CINDERS]

Aus has started to ban 500+ gatherings major sports events 0 spectators with more to come, Princess cruises have stopped their 18 ocean liners, Qantas are shedding people through holidays unpaid leave, panic buying still going on the media is not helping calm the populace so we will see where we go from here. A few politicians have contracted the Covid-19 and well yes Tom Hanks & wife are over east quaranteened......