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Italians Share Information They Wish They Knew At The Beginning Of Coronavirus, So Others Can Prepare

Italians have a message for the US, the UK, France, and other places that are behind them in the COVID-19 progression: don’t underestimate the virus and keep safe.

Recently, A THING BY asked quarantined people of all ages and living all over Italy to record a video message to themselves from 10 days ago about taking measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus before it devastated the country.

The clips were then compiled together and published on YouTube, where they received nearly 6M views in just a few days. Hopefully, this is just the beginning and more people will see it and catch a glimpse of what their future might be if they don’t heed the warnings.

Italy is the European epicenter of the pandemic. The country reported 475 new coronavirus deaths over the last day, taking its death toll to nearly 3,000. The total number of cases in Italy rose to 35,713, with more than 4,000 successful recoveries.

Empty streets and shuttered stores have become the face of the country, as 60 million people are confined to their homes, while exhausted doctors and medical staff work non-stop at overwhelmed hospitals.

People of all ages and living all over Italy participated in the project

Italians Share Information They Wish They Knew At The Beginning Of Coronavirus, So Others Can Prepare

“We know how to respond to road accidents, train derailments, even earthquakes. But a virus that has killed so many, which gets worse with each passing day and for which a cure — or even containment — seems distant? No,” Dr. Pavesi, an anesthesiologist at the Policlinico San Donato in Milan, told The New York Times.

“All planned surgeries were postponed. Intensive care beds were given over to the treatment of coronavirus patients. Within 24 hours, the hospital created new intensive care places by converting operating theaters and anesthetic rooms. And 40 more beds were dedicated to patients suspected or proven to have the virus, though not in a serious condition.”

However, just like the people in the video, the doctor remains hopeful. “The population’s calm response to the restrictive rules imposed by the government, the experience gained in the management of critically ill patients and the rumors of new treatments for the infection are grounds for hope. Perhaps the containment measures will work, and the news at the end of the week will be good.”

But for now, they are in the thick of tragedy.

Here’s what people said after watching the video

Italians Share Information They Wish They Knew At The Beginning Of Coronavirus, So Others Can Prepare

104Kviews

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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What do you think ?

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Piero Fiocco 4 years ago

Hi I'm Italian (Verona) If I can give some suggestions: It is very fast. Last week we were skying now we're sealed at home. Remember that it is really a severe disease if you have a previous health problem and it is very easy to catch it. So my best suggestion is to stay at home. Take it easy and relax. Buy RIGHT NOW one use gloves, surgical mask and a lot of alcool and disinfectant gel for the hands. Here is now almost impossible to find this stuff and you will need it. Buy some books and whater kind of home hobby you'd like to practice for the next month. Food should not be a concern, or at east it is not here in this moment. But if you can have a little storage do it so that you can go buying food when there is not a lot of people. I know this seems a B rating horror it.movie but it is all real. Once again It will spread fast and hard take these contermeasures in advance and pass the word. We were almost joking and laughing about a flu 10 days ago...

12points

Dorothy Parker 4 years ago

In the United States, please know we are terribly distressed for the people of Italy. Our hearts are with you all. Stay well.

6points

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Kelly 4 years ago

Metto maschera e guanti (per fortuna li avevo già in casa) e quando esco disinfetto pomoli, corrimano e citofoni da tre settimane almeno. Le facce dei vicini all'epoca, chissà cosa pensano adesso. In bocca al lupo!

2points

Angel Pena 4 years ago (edited)

People aren't listening to what trump said he said stay in your homes for 15 days but people are still going out. Such as there is a woman on youtube who keeps posting dollar tree haul videos and her husband has influenza,people need to not only be safe inside until next month because of covid 19 but also other infections going around,then next month just go out when needed for food or medication.

1point

Nadine 4 years ago

Spain has followed in Italy's footsteps. When Italy announced the entire country was closing... That's when I truly began to take this seriously. Lo and behold, a week later, Spain is also closed. Been stuck at home since Saturday and now my husband can't go to work either because he was in contact with a person who is probably infected (needs to have the tests done). We all need to stay calm and pull through this together. It's going to be a long quarantine...

9points

Tabitha L 4 years ago

My spouse is an accountant. As of now, the IRS has not extended tax deadline. So he goes to work. Otherwise, clients will not get their taxes done. (Working from home is harder because of all the sensitive personal info on their secure server. An identity thief's dream.)

4points