When it really happens: SHTF...

[Ovidio]

I don't know the validity of this but it has been reported by an Israeli doctor working in Italy.

They are no longer using respirators on anyone over the age of 60. That if true is not a good sign at all.

That might be the case in Bergamo and Brescia, but I’m not sure of elsewhere.
We have real triage being done, but until now we heard only of the absolutely worst cases not being treated. Some hopeless cases have been sedated and let go. That will leave scars in the medical personnel and not only in them. But it is not systematic throughout Italy.
It is certainly a very limited area where it happens.
Today we had less infections and less dead. First time since all this started. Think positive!!!
People, at least here, are behaving in a splendid way. Today I have seen or heard maybe three cars passing by my home in the whole day. Eerie...
I’m struggling not to go out in the fields and vineyards for my daily training, but decided against that, even if theoretically still allowed in places like here. I decided that, although I would not endanger anyone and also not break any rules, this time each of us needs to set an example. For himself, his family, for all other people. I blew the dust off my treadmill and started playing the hamster...
I’ll have my “revenge” soon!
Last June I convinced a friend of mine and we went from San Vito to Bibione by foot. Left at 04:00 and reached the beach at 14:00. After 48 km, 4 brief stops and 3 aperitivi with friends along the way
All in all, we walked for 8 hours and 10 minutes. Starting with 20’C and arriving with 38...
That was tough, actually, the only difficulty has been that horrendous heat in the humid air we have here in summer. Feet were in a bad shape and, after the last three hot hours, also the “rear cheeks” were starting to get reddish...
But I’ll do it again, just for the fun of it.
And to spit out all the frustration of these weeks.

[Aragorn243]

That is great you're finally seeing a reduction in cases.

As for going outside, it is recommended. Sunlight helps with vitamin production and they are actually encouraging people to go out and walk, just not get near anyone.

[Flying10uk]

[Ovidio]

What can bad communication cause?
I spent the whole day, and still have teleconferences, Skype-meetings and WhatsApp meetings with customers from all over the world, all worried because Italy "has hut down everything"...
One idiot talking on Facebook before even writing down the new limitations and the damage is enormous.
I have machines or complete lines to deliver in the coming months and in each and every contract there is the clause that, in case of "acts of God" or other totally abnormal circumstances, the contracts can be canceled. And those idiots, one a lawyer, his PR-Manager a "Big Brother" participant, are ruling one of the world's leading countries like absolute...reckless idiots (again).
I wish they had to earn their money to survive, like everybody else, but now they are in the big game of politics, so they will never have this marginal problem any more...

Apart for this, everything is still more or less fine.
The first people I knew are dead from the virus or complications thereof.
It is humbling.
One was a coach of one of Italy's first American Football teams, founded in the late '70s, the other was a lineman I played against lots of times.
Both in or around Milan.
Too bad...

We keep working as usual.

[rcathey]

This has been a very intriguing thread to follow.
Thought I'd check in from the St. Louis area. Cases are building quick here and the city mayor as well as the county executive have instituted stay at home orders.

They're incredibly weak currently. They have exempted 22 types of business...as well as businesses that supply those businesses.
My day job is in manufacturing. Since construction is an exempted business and we supply mainly to the construction industry, we're rolling along as usual.

I suspect once Missouri issues their stay at home order (only a matter of time, if I were to guess) it will be much more strict.

We're doing what we can to keep our people paid for as long as we can. We know how fortunate we are!!

[Aragorn243]

I'm in construction and I'm not exempt. My suppliers are however. Has me aggravated because construction is an exempted category according to federal guidelines but my state which is supposed to be following the federal guidelines still shut it down. I can do emergency repairs only.

[Gil Boyd]

Feel sorry for all the delivery guys and girls and also the supermarket workers who have to stay open whilst everything is closing around them.

I would hazard a guess the UK will close down within 10 days, and the Army and Police will take over on movements.
If you look outside now, you would'nt think things had changed at all, the usual people coming home from work.
Surprised to hear the construction agencies of the great state of Pennsylvania are struggling. Normally lone workers like that soldier on regardless cos they have to.

[Ovidio]

Friday, when I went buying at our supermarket, I thanked all workers for keeping on the good work.
They were very surprised and also really glad that someone noticed and cared to tell them.

[Aragorn243]

Construction wouldn't be struggling if the Governor didn't shut us down. I personally have work as do most other companies. But under threat of losing our licenses and being fined or put in jail, it isn't worth the risk at this point. If this goes on for more than a few weeks however, that's a different story. Construction is on the list of essential businesses at the federal level.

As for what I'm doing, watching all the ammunition in the country dry up before my eyes along with most of the accessories needed like magazines and clips. I did find a seller of 7.62x39 this morning but it will be four weeks before I get it. Tried installing a steel magazine that I had here already in my SKS but it was a piece of crap and restored the original. Ordered two plastic promags today. Ordered 10 Garand clips last night, they actually were not hard to find. AK and AR magazines are all gone. I have a few, just have to find them.

Anti gunners are starting to panic and are trying to use this crisis and the massive ammo purchases to try to legislate the sale of ammunition. They want all purchasers to be licensed and for each purchase to go through a background check. Isn't going to go anywhere but it is what it is.

All the counties directly to the east of ours has been placed under shelter in place orders. Almost sounds the same as what we are under now as you can still go out for essentials and exercise but you are supposed to practice social distancing. That is something which we seem capable of doing extremely well. No one is pushing around, everyone stays clear of everyone else. Not sure if it is a natural sense of individualism, distrust, paranoia or actually listening to the government for once in our lives but we are doing it. Except for the damn kids. They still think it's party time.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Friday, when I went buying at our supermarket, I thanked all workers for keeping on the good work.
They were very surprised and also really glad that someone noticed and cared to tell them.

Simple kindness.That is the attitude that will get us thru. Underlying preparedness for those who have none (kindness) is in order as well.

---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------

As for what I'm doing, watching all the ammunition in the country dry up before my eyes

Made the mistake of trying to organize some ammo in a safe yesterday. Talk about exponential spread. I still can't see how it all fit before removal.
Odd how it grows when you remove it.